ANATIDZ®, 469 
father, but whether that was the present species or 
Bewick’s Swan I am unable to say, as the skin got 
moth-eaten and was destroyed, and the only note 
I have of the occurrence is one by my father at the 
head of Bewick’s description of the Wild Swan, 
saying, “Shot at Lydeard Ponds, Dec. 30, 1829.” 
I have also seen specimens of this bird that had 
been shot on the marsh, and brought into Mrs. 
Turle’s, the birdstuffer at Taunton, for preserva- 
tion. 
The Hooper is easily kept in confinement, and 
Montagu says that the specimen above mentioned 
as having been shot near Bridgwater was obtained 
for him by his friend Mr. Anstice, and that having 
recovered from its wounds it became very tame, 
and lived on amicable terms with all his other wild 
fowl, except a pugnacious Burrow Duck that occa- 
sionally attacked it. 
Meyer says the food of the Hooper consists of 
green vegetable matter, grain and fruits, also insects 
and their larve, worms, small frogs and the fry of 
small fishes: he adds that the manner of feeding is 
peculiar, the bird not only seeking for its food by 
preference in shallow water, but turning up the 
boggy ground in order to obtain roots and worms, 
and to such an extent is this done that where a 
number congregate the ground is perfectly broken 
up. 
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