Bewick's Swan 



BEWICK'S SWAN 



Cygnus bewicki, Yarrell 



This species, which is smaller than the Whooper, visits 

 us regularly every winter, and is in some places the commoner 

 of the wild Swans. In Scotland it is abundant in some 

 seasons as it is also in Ireland, but on the coasts of England 

 and Wales it is always rather scarce. It breeds in the Far 

 North to the east of the White Sea. 



It may be distinguished from the Whooper by its 

 smaller size and the extent of the yellow on the beak, 

 which does not quite reach the nostrils. Length about 

 46 in. ; wing about 21 in. 



THE MUTE SWAN 



Cygnus olor (J. F. Qmelin) 



In this country the Mute Swan is only met with in a 

 state of semi-domestication, having been introduced at some 

 early period of history. It is now, however, widely distri- 

 buted throughout our islands. Inhabiting lakes, rivers, and 

 ornamental waters, it feeds on aquatic weeds and grain, and 

 is extremely useful in preventing an undue growth of weeds 

 in ornamental ponds and lakes. The nest is a huge structure 

 of straw and rushes, built upon the edge of the water, or in 

 the centre of a reed-bed. The eggs, which vary in number 



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