i:;6 ANSERIFORMES 



and black beak, except in C. olor, where it is plumbeons. In 

 habits Swans are much alike, though the notes differ somewhat, 

 and the Mute Swan merely hisses or croaks in captivity ; the 

 latter and the Black Swan are noted for the graceful curve of 

 the neck and their greenish eggs ; while the wing-feathers and 

 scapulars are habitually puffed out when on the water. Swans 

 were " Eoyal Birds " in mediaeval England, and a licence was 

 necessary to keep them, but for this subject and that of the " Swan- 

 marks " on the bill, as well as for accounts of decoys, hybrids, and 



'iU 



Fig. .36. Bewick's Swan. Cijgiins bcwic/.'i. x jL. 



domestic races in the Family, tlie reader must be referred to the 

 works of Professor Newton,^ Count Salvadori," and other authors. 

 Fossil remains of this group are found throughout the Miocene 

 of France, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy, referred to Anser and 

 Anns, with Chenornis graculoides ; the Pliocene of Oregon has 

 furnished Branfa, C//;/)ins, and Anser, that of Italy Alias and 

 Fnligala ; the Plistocene of Malta Cygnus and Palaeocyenvs, that 

 of Brazil Cliencdopex. The superficial deposits of New Zealand con- 

 tain Cnemiornis, mentioned aliove, as well as Chenopis and Blziura. ; 

 the Queensland drifts the last-named, and, it is .said, Anas, 

 -Dendrocgcna, and Nyroca ; the Mare aux Songes of Mauritius 

 Anns and S'nrcidiornis. Cenfnmds niajorl is a remarkable form 



^ Cf. Diet. Birch, artt. Duck, Goose, Swan, aud the references there given. 

 - Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxvii. 1895. 



