CATALOGUE OF CANADIAN BIRDS. . 1 33 



180. Whistling Swan. 



Olor columhianus (Ord) Stejn. 1882. 



This species is a rare and accidental visitor along the Atlantic 

 coast from Newfoundland southward. It is not uncommon in 

 the Gulf and River St. Lawrence and is a regular visitor on Lake 

 Erie and the Great Lakes generally. Migrants have been seen or 

 taken in all parts of Manitoba and westvs^ard over the prairie. 

 Apparently not breeding south of the Arctic circle. 



This species breeds on the coast of the Arctic sea within the Arctic 

 circle and is seen in the interior only as a migrant. {Richardson.) 

 Whistling swans visit the western shores of Hudson bay in great 

 numbers in the spring and fall, and their assembled thousands 

 are said to present a beautiful and imposing spectacle during their 

 semi-annual visits. The broad expanse of Churchill river near its 

 mouth is a favorite place of resort. {Preble.) Both Nelson and 

 Turner speak of this bird being a common species in Alaska. Mr. 

 Turner says it migrates about the middle of October and at this 

 time the migration is always to the northward from St. Michael 

 and directed towards the head of Norton sound. From there it 

 evidently crosses to the Yukon and passes up it to the Rocky moun- 

 tains. A common migrant in British Columbia, and according to 

 Fannin very abundant during the summer in some portions of the 

 mainland interior. The young have been taken on Vancouver 

 island. Brooks says that a swan, (apparently this species) winters 

 in suitable localities in the Okanagan district, B.C. 



Breeding Notes. — Common on Southampton island, Hudson bay 

 and on the flat land north of Repulse bay. They breed in low 

 lands where there are lakes. Their nests, constructed of seaweed, 

 grass and moss are very conspicuous. They are very bulky affairs, 

 about three feet in diameter at the base tapering to 18 inches at the 

 top and 18 inches high. {A. P. Low.) This species builds on the 

 ground and the nest usually contains five eggs; several were also 

 found on the coast and islands of Liverpool and Franklin bays in 

 the Arctic ocean. {Macfarlane.) The birds arrive on the coast 

 singly or in small parties, and directly after scatter to their summer 

 haunts. At Nulato, Dall found them laying eggs by May 21st, but 

 on the sea-coast, May 30th is the earliest date I have of their eggs 

 being taken. Dall states that they lay two eggs, but this must 



