THE AMERICAN SWAN. 239 



be scarce south of this, its principal haunts being to 

 the northward. During the summer months the 

 shores of the Polar Sea afford it a safe retreat, where 

 it may rear its young in comparative safety 



American Swan. 



The flight of these birds is powerful and rapid, 

 and is often prolonged to a wonderful extent. Dur- 

 ing their migrations they soar to a great height, over- 

 topping the mountains, and seldom pause during the 

 journey between our latitude and the place of their 

 summer abode, except when their progress is impeded 

 by a storm, above the region of which they mostly 

 travel. They always advance in small flocks in the 

 shape of a V, the leader being at the point. When 

 they arrive at the place of their destination, which 

 is generally at night, they occupy themselves at once 

 in making amends for their long abstinence from food, 

 and join in a wild chorus of congratulations which 

 almost makes the shores ring. While feeding, or dur 



