WILD, OR WHISTLING SWAN. 367 



they migrate over both continents, and in winter are some- 

 times numerous in the Bay of Chesapeake. Flocks are 

 seen and heard to pass also through various parts of the 

 interior of America, and they are no where more abundant 

 at that season than in Missouri, Arkansa, and Louisiana, 

 to which countries, by the great valley of the Mississippi, 

 they are seen to repair in lofty and numerous flights to the 

 very close of winter, protracting their stay sometimes until 

 driven to move by the severest frosts. In the winter of 

 1810, I saw two of these graceful birds in a state of domes- 

 tication near St Louis, (Missouri) which were obtained with 

 several others at the same time, in consequence of the 

 extreme cold. The thermometer falling to 15° below zero, 

 they were unable to bear the cutting severity of the weather, 

 and fell disabled, accompanied by several Wild Ducks, 

 into an adjoining field, where a few survived and be- 

 came tame. In summer they are seen in vast numbers 

 inhabiting the great lakes and marshes of the Tartarian 

 and Siberian deserts : and resort in great flocks to winter 

 around the Caspian and Euxine seas. At the same season 

 they frequent the mild climate of Greece, Lydia, Anatolia, 

 and Egypt. In Europe they proceed as far north as Iceland, 

 where they seek out the remote lakes among the mountains. 

 According to Dr. Richardson they also breed at Igloolik 

 near the northern extremity of Melville Peninsula. A few 

 pairs, according to Fleming, formerly bred in the Orkneys, 

 but jealous of intrusion, have now probably deserted the 

 shores of the Ultima Thule. They are also seen in winter 

 along the sea coasts of Holland and France. 



Whistling Swans arrive in Hudson's Bay about the end 

 of May, in small flocks accompanied by the Geese, and 

 propagate in great numbers along the shores, islands, and 

 inland lakes. These, distinguished by their note and in- 

 ferior size from the following, are called Hoopers, and 



