62 



AN AUSTRALIAN BIRD BOOK. 



ORDER XIU. — ^ANSERIFORMES. 



P. 58. ANATIDAB (21), SWANS, GEESE, 206 sp.— 39 (30) A., 



50(9)0., 68(10)P., 41(21)E., 56(ll)Nc., 70(39)N1. 

 1 126 Black Swan, Ghenopsis atrata, A., T. 



1 Stat. c. lakes 40 



Black; white on wing; very long neck; f., sim. Plants, 



Swans, Geese, and Ducks, the Swimming Birds grouped in 

 Order XIII., are all classified in one family, though there are 

 many sub-families. 



At the head of the Australian birds is the Black Swan — that 

 vara avis which, "possibly, has done more to advertize Australia 

 than any other Australian animal or plant. A "black" swan 

 was an "impossibility," so this bird was one of the strongest 

 factors in establishing Australia's reputation as a land of para- 

 doxes and contradictions. 



The Black Swan is well known outside Australia, as it is com- 

 mon in every park and garden in Europe. Gould feared that it 

 would be exterminated here, but fortunately Australians are now 

 learning to appreciate their own land, and there is no danger of 

 such a calamity. 



Eight species of Swans are known to occur all over the world 

 with the exception of New Zealand and Africa. 



In the next sub-family there is but one bird — the Semipalmated 

 Goose of Australia. This bird, better known as the Magpie Goose, 

 has its feet but half-webbed, hence its specific name, semipalmata. 



