114 



THE MUSEUM. 



Notes on Whistling Swan. 



01 or coluvibiaiuis. 



Although one of the largest of the 

 game birds of the world, it seems 

 strange that so few articles are written 

 on its habits, etc. Perhaps it is be- 

 cause few Ornithologists have the good 

 fortune to observe these birds in their 

 haunts. Surely much m.ore can this 

 bird claim space in the colums of our 

 interesting magazines than the miser- 

 able little English Sparrow, although 

 articles on the latter are by far the 

 more common. 



It was in the winter of '93, I had 

 the pleasure of observing and collect- 

 ing specimens of this handsome bird. 

 Certainly (Beautiful) will not express 

 ones thoughts as you look on a large 

 flock Swans lying some distance 

 off shore. I first saw them on Galves- 

 ton Bay on January ist, and observed 

 them every day until March 20th, "" 

 when there seemed to be but a 

 very few left, all remaining on that 

 date I think were crippled birds, being 

 unable to stand the fatigue in their 

 long journey to the north. It is a 

 great sight to watch a flock of these 

 birds assembled on the water, curling 

 their long necks around each other, 

 all making a strange honking noise, 

 peculiar to themselves. This they con- 

 tinue for some time, then all turn with 

 military precision and form in line; 

 when they swim up and down the 

 coast, each proudly swaying their 

 heads from side to side. In this man- 

 ner they spend most of the bright days. 

 They can be easily seen far out on the 

 bay, their large white bodies glistening 



*These birds breed in the far north, com- 

 mon on islands in Franklin Bay, and also at 

 the mouth of the Yukon River. 



in the sun, as the restless waves tossi 

 their cork like forms above the level 

 of the water. At first sight I could 

 not distinguish whether the silvery 

 spots rising on the waves were Swans 

 or the water breaking over some 

 treacherous sand-bar, which are com- 

 mon both in Galveston and Sanjacinto 

 Bays. Each day as the sun begins to 

 go downthey turn and slowly approach 

 the shore, each keeping a sharp look- 

 out ahead. If frightened any way 

 they will either turn and swim quietly 

 away or all take wing and survey the 

 country for miles around before they 

 will again settle on the water. Often 

 small flocks may be seen in company 

 with Ducks, Geese, Pelicans and Gulls, 

 but usually they will be found alone at 

 some distance from all other birds, as 

 well as human habitation. They are 

 very hard to approach on a bright day, 

 and hunting for them in clear weather 

 is like fishing for Trout in a thunder 

 storm. The dense fogs which prevail 

 along the coast are no doubt the worst 

 enemies these birds have, for then if 

 the hunter is careful he can approach 

 within easy range before they attempt 

 to escape. 



In stormy weather they are very 

 restless and are continually flying 

 from place to place as if hunting for a 

 quiet spot, where they may rest in peace 

 till the storm passes. In this contin- 

 ous change of positions they often come 

 too near the shore and many are killed 

 by the hunters who lay hidden, await- 

 ing their approach. I once saw five 

 of these large birds killed at a single 

 discharge of a heavy double gun. 



While on the wing these birds arc 

 very graceful, and by no means slow, 

 judging from the case with which they 

 can rise from the water and depart. I 



