162 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



But this is seldom the case, and a pair of breeding swans would 

 launch themselves as fearlessly (and perhaps as successfully) at 

 an attacking fox as at some inoffensive intruding duck. When, 

 in addition to this fearlessness and great concern for the young, 

 we realize that swans invariably mate for life, these beautiful 

 birds take a high place in our regard. They are as admirable 

 in their home life as they are pleasing to the eye. 



The cygnets, as the young swans are called, are covered with 

 a plumage of grayish brown, in all probability protective in char- 

 acter, as this color harmonizes w'ell with the various subdued hues 

 of the dead grass and mosses. 



It is interesting to note that four of the seven species of swans 

 have received names relating either to the quality of the voice or to 

 a comparative lack of vocal expression. These are the Whistler, 

 Trumpeter, Whooper, and Mute. Even the word swan, traceable 

 to szvoii, is in some way correlated with the Latin verb sonare — 

 to sound. To one who is familiar with swans in a wild state, or 

 even v^ath those kept in captivity, the cause of this important 

 notice taken of the voice will be readily understood. The voice 

 of each species differs, and even the notes of the sexes are unlike ; 

 but all are pleasant and melodious, while in the case of two species 

 the tones are truly trumpet-like, and have as beautiful a resonant 

 quality as have the tones from a French horn. This quality of 

 the voice may be partly accounted for by the remarkable loop 

 which the trachea describes within the breastbone, in some cases 

 exactly paralleling the characteristic shape of a French horn. 

 The Whooper, Whistler, Bewick, and Trumpeter possess this 

 peculiarity, and the Black Swan in a lesser degree. In the Mute 

 and the Black-Necked the windpipe is straight. 



From time immemorial the " swan-song '' has been famed in 

 legend and in song; but until lately it has had no scientific con- 

 firmation. Writing of the Whistling Swan, Prof. D. G. Elliot 

 says : 



" The song of the dying swan has been the theme of poets for 

 centuries, and is generally considered one of those pleasing myths 

 that are handed down through the ages. I had killed many a 

 swan, and never heard aught from them save the familiar notes 

 that reach every one in their vicinity. But once, when shooting 

 in Currituck Sound over water belonging to a club of which I 

 am a member, in company with a friend, Mr. F. W. Legget, of 

 New York, a number of swans passed over us at a considerable 

 height. We fired at them, and one splendid bird was mortally 

 hurt. On receiving: his wound the wings became fixed and he 



