260 GAME BIBDS OF CALIFOENIA 



(1887, p. 92) says that in Alaska the nest is usually built upon some 

 small island in some secluded lakelet, or on a rounded bank close to 

 the border of a pond. The eggs are deposited in a depression made in 

 a heap of rubbish gathered by the birds from the immediate vicinity. 

 The young are hatched the last of June or the first of July, and soon 

 afterwards the parents lead them to some large lake or stream. There 

 also the old birds molt and while growing their new quill feathers are 

 unable to fly. 



In moving from their arctic homes in autumn the Swans seemingly divide 

 their forces; part going toward the Pacific coast, part southeastward toward 

 the south Atlantic states and part south through the region of the Mississippi 

 valley. They seem to fly undeviatingly across the country, crossing river valleys 

 or mountain ranges, steering a course straight for their distant goal. When 

 they arrive at their destination they pay little attention to decoys, but busy 

 themselves by plunging their heads to the bottom in shallow water and 

 digging up the bottom grass with their beaks. When they find the favorite 

 morsels they often dig large holes in the bottom. The Swan does not dive, 

 but can readily reach bottom in about three feet of water by standing on its 

 head on the bottom and paddling with its feet to keep its balance. When 

 undisturbed it is a noisy bird, though silent when alarmed. When a flock 

 is at ease, their wierd, high-keyed calls and deeper tones may be heard in 

 chorus (Forbush, 1912, p. 200). 



The first comers are in small flocks, composed of a few old birds with their 

 cygnets [young] ; these are augmented by others, and soon large numbers 

 congregate. Their destination is often reached at night; discordant cries 

 announce the arrival and tell the satisfaction of a long, tiresome journey 

 ended. Few sights are more imposing than the lines of white, and the swan 

 drifting majestically along the surface of quiet water is deservedly the emblem 

 of beauty and grace. From afar the appearance is of a snowbank. If dis- 

 turbed, and not hard-pressed, they swim off rather than take to wing. The 

 flight is started with considerable effort; the bird rising heavily against the 

 wind quickly mounts to an altitude far out of range, when the wings seem 

 almost motionless and the white line sails through the air in striking distinc- 

 tion to the flapping flight of geese (Sanford, Bishop and Van Dyke, 1903, 

 pp. 262-263). 



Torrey (1913, i^p. 86-87) describes as follows the habits of some 

 Whistling Swans which were present on Laguna Blanca near Santa 

 Barbara during the winter of 1908: 



As they fed, holding their heads under water for a surprisingly long time, 

 a number of ducks collected in the vicinity, diving directly beside them, almost 

 or quite under them, in fact, as if — what I doubted not was true — the long- 

 necked creatures were stirring up the muddy bottom with a thoroughness 



which the ducks found highly to their advantage The swans made not 



the least objection to the ducks' persistent and rather meddlesome looking 

 activities, . . . but now and then they indulged in what seemed like slight 

 fallings-out among themselves. 



When they had fed thus for some time, they proceeded to bathe: after 

 dinner the finger-bowl. And a lively performance it was, witli a deal of 



