ANSERINE — THE GEESE. 433 



domesticated. In New Orleans examples are frequently exposed for sale in the mar- 

 kets having been procured on the ponds in the interior. The waters of the Arkansas 

 and its tributaries are well supplied each winter with this species, and the largest 

 specimen Mr. Audubon ever saw was shot on a lake near the junction of that river 

 with the Mississippi ; it weighed thirty-eight pounds. 



This Swan is said to feed chiefly by partially immersing the body and extending 

 the neck under water in the manner of the fresh-water Ducks, with its feet in the air, 

 thus preserving its balance. Occasionally it resorts to the land, where it feeds, more 

 in the manner of the Duck than in that of the Goose. Its food consists of the roots 

 of various plants, leaves, seeds, aquatic insects, land-snails, small reptiles, etc. 



Mr. Audubon once kept a male Swan alive two years. At first extremely shy, it 

 soon became accustomed to the servants, and after a time came at the call of its name, 

 ''Trumpeter," and ate bread from the hand. It at last became quite bold, and would 

 drive before it the Tiu'key-Cock, as well as the dogs and servants. 



Mr. MacFarlane saw the Trumpeter Swan breeding on the Barren Grounds, on 

 islands in Franklin Bay, and near the Arctic coast. In one instance a nest containing 

 six eggs was found near the beach on a rising ground. It was composed of hay, down, 

 and feathers intermixed. This was the general character as regards .structure and 

 situation of the nests of this species. Those in the Barrens were usually placed on 

 elevated ground ; others were found near the banks of the Lower Anderson Eiver. 

 The usual number of eggs was four. 



The Trumpeter was also met with on the head-waters of the Frazer Eiver by Mr. 

 Elliot ; as also near Fort Yukon, where it was ascertained to breed, and where ex- 

 amples of its eggs were procured. Specimens were also taken both by Mr. Kennicott 

 and by Mr. Lockliart in the same region ; by Mr. L. Clark and Mr. B. E. Eoss at Fort 

 Eae ; and on Big Island by Mr. J. Eeid. 



This was the only Swan observed by Mr. E. Adams on Norton Sound, where it 

 appeared by the 30th of May. It was at no time abundant, but associated itself with 

 others of the species, so as to form flocks of from two to eight or ten in number. A 

 few were said to breed in that locality, but the greater part of them went farther 

 north. 



The eggs of the Trumpeter are of a uniform chalky Avhite color, and rough and 

 granulated on the surface. They measure from 4.35 inches in length to 4.65, and 

 from 2.05 to 2.90 inches in breadth. 



Sub-family ANSEEIN.^. — The Geese. 



The chief characters of the Anserincr, as distinguished from the Cygnince and Anatince, consist 

 in the more elevated body, with the lengthened legs, fitting the species for a more terrestrial life, 

 although equally able to swim. Tlieir necks are very much shorter than in the Swans, and 

 usually longer than those of the Ducks. From the latter, all the Geese are distinguished by the 

 character of the covering of the anterior part of the tarsus, which consists of small hexagonal scales, 

 but in the Ducks of narrow transverse scutellaj. Including the genus Dcndrocycna, which, notwith- 

 standing its close superficial resemblance to the Ducks, seems to belong rather to this sub-family, 

 the Anseriiice of North America may be divided into two groups, as follows : — 



Ansereae. Bill tapering to the tip, not longer than the head (frec^uently shorter) ; nostrils 

 situated near the middle of the maxilla ; only the lower end of the tibia bare. 



Dendrocycneae. Bill depressed and broad at the end, longer than the head, the edges nearly 

 parallel ; nostrils situated far posterior to the middle of the maxilla ; lower half of the 

 tibia bare. 



VOL. I. — 55 



