ANATID/E. 



4°:^ 



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BEWICK'S SWAN. 



Cygnus BEwiCKi, Yarrell. 



This Swan — which is one-third less than the Whooper, and pre- 

 sents noticeable differences in the smaller size and distribution of the 

 yellow patch at the base of the bill — was recognized as a visitor to 

 this country by Yarrell in 1829, and almost simultaneously by 

 R. Wingate of Newcastle. Subsequent experience has shown that, 

 although much rarer than its larger congener, Bewick's Swan is of 

 fairly frequent occurrence in severe winters on the coasts of Eng- 

 land ; while in Scotland it is sometimes abundant — especially in the 

 Outer Hebrides ; and in Ireland, as already remarked, it is far more 

 numerous than the Whooper. Mr. R. Warren writes that on December 

 17th 1880 more than two hundred were seen together on Lough 

 CuUen, CO. Mayo; and during the unexampled frost of 1881 eight 

 hundred were observed at one time on the lake of Castle Gregory 

 in CO. Kerry ; while even thousands are said to have been counted 

 in other localities. Sir R. Payne-Gallwey states that there is a strong 

 feeling in Ireland — especially in the west — against slaying a Swan, 

 and the majority of fowlers cannot be induced to fire at one. 



Bewick's Swan has not been found in Greenland or Iceland, and only 



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