3CO 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



Sub-family d. Cygnince. 

 CYGNUS. (Lat. a Swan.) 



AV 1, , ^ 





Olor (Lat. a Swan), the Mute Swan. 



and the Dyers' and Vintners' Companies own the greater part of 

 the swans on the Thames, and their swans are annually mark- 

 ed on the bills by men termed Swan-uppers, or hoppers. The 

 mark of the Vintners' Company is a notch or nick at each side 

 of the bill, from which arose the term, " swans with two nicks," 

 corrupted into " necks." 



The WHISTLING SWAN, or HOOPER ( Cygnus fcrus\ resides 

 during summer within the Arctic circle, but in winter visits 

 the northern parts of Europe, including England. It migrates 

 in flocks of various numbers, arranged in the form of a wedge. 

 The down of this bird is very valuable, and is sought after by 

 the Icelanders, who choose the time when the birds have shed 

 their quill-feathers and are unable to fly, to chase them with 



