178 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



TRUMPETER SWANS AND NEST. 



It is said that hunters usually see an average of two birds of 

 the year with their parents, this perhaps indicating the usual 

 number brought to maturity. Sportsmen along the shores of the 

 Chesapeake see the first Whistling Swans, about the first week in 

 November, coming in small flocks, passing high in the air over 

 the beach and the waters of the ocean. The long necks are 

 stretched straight out, the great wings beat steadily, and the 

 beautifully clear notes come down through the air, answered by 

 the leaders of other flocks. Such an arrival is well described by 

 Prof. D. G. Elliot : " Beautiful indeed the splendid birds appear, 

 sailing onward in the blue sky, the bright rays of a midday sun 

 glancing from their immaculate plumage, causing it to glisten 

 with the sheen of burnished silver, or, if the birds are passing 

 directly overhead, the light streaming through the feathers of the 

 wings reflects on the under side and also on the body a glow like 

 the faint blush on the petals of a rose. With redoubled cries the 

 glad birds welcome the w^ell-known waters of their winter home, 

 and gradually lowering themselves from their lofty altitudes turn 

 head to wind, and checking their momentum by a few rapid wing 

 beats launch themselves into the waters of the sound. Should 

 there be any swan in the vicinity, and the newcomers are the 



