OF NORTH AMERICA. 43 
dl. WHISTLING SWAN. 
Olor columbianus. 
Color white in full plumage, sometimes with 
rusty markings about the head; bill and feet 
black, the former with a small yellow spot in 
front of the eye; length under 5 feet; extent 
6 to 7 feet. Young birds are smaller, ashy- 
gray, with a tint of reddish on the head; bill 
and feet flesh-color. 
They habit the entire continent of North 
America, but are rare on the North Atlantic 
coast. They feed on aquatic plants and in- 
sects, which they glean from the bottom with 
their long necks ever and anon poked up in 
the air and then thrust down to the mud, but 
they never dive while feeding. It is a much 
debated question among sportsmen naturalists 
whether they ever line or not; they are, how- 
ever, credited with this feat when in danger, 
but they are seldom approached very closely 
without taking wing. Their voice is loud, 
and they are exceedingly noisy when feeding, 
but it is needless to say that “the sweet ware 
bling of the dying swan” is “all in your eye.” 
They couid not warble if they wanted to. 
022. TRUMPETER SWAN. 
Olor buceinator. 
This bird is hardly to be distinguished from 
No. 51 except by its larger size, being about 
5 feet long and 8 feet in extent of wines, 
