Black Swan 197 



BLACK SWAN (CYGNUS BEWICKII). 



THIS distinct species of swan only began to attract 

 attention about the years 1827-8, although one or 

 two ornithologists have previously examined 

 specimens, and pointed out distinctions. Soon after its 

 dedication, to hand down to posterity the Ornithologist 

 of Newcastle, was by common consent recognised. It is 

 generally supposed to breed in Iceland. Many specimens 

 have been procured in various districts of England, Scot- 

 land, and Ireland. 



The adult plumage is white after passing through the 

 changes of dull brown. The head and neck are also 

 generally streaked with rufous. But it is easily distin- 

 guished by its lesser size, and by the colouring of the bill, 

 which has the greater part of its terminal portion black, 

 the orange at the base assuming nearly the form of an 

 oval spot carried out to the eye. 



This species has also a convolution of the trachea 

 within the sternum, but it enters the cavity outside the 

 osifurcatorius, and the bronchial divarications are very 

 short. 



