° 80 ANATIDAA 
AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 
TOTAL LENGTH . xe, 002 Gime 
WING a oe cee Pee 45) e 
BEAK 7 ey a ee AO 
TARSO-METATARSUS AOD 
Eae Ao oe De Gina 
BEWICK’S SWAN. Cygnus bewicki (Yarrell). 
Coloured Figures.—Gould, ‘Birds of Great Britain,’ vol. v, 
pl. 10; Dresser, ‘Birds of Europe,’ vol. vi, plies 
fig. 3; Lilford, ‘ Coloured Figures,’ vol. vii, pl. 30. 
The late Mr. Yarrell first identified this bird as a distinct 
species; for a long time it had been confounded with the 
Whooper. 
In a state of nature, the two species of Wild Swans do 
not intermix, so that a chance of comparing their relative 
sizes is thereby not afforded. When placed side by side, 
there is no difficulty in distinguishing the one from the 
other, for the Whooper is one-third the larger, and the 
distribution of the yellow patch at the end of its beak differs 
considerably. 
Bewick’s Swan is a visitant to our shores during the 
winter months only, the numbers which migrate increasing 
with the severity of the weather. Like the Whooper, it 
remains with us but a few months, arriving during December 
and departing towards the end of February. 
Bewick’s Swan is not uncommon along parts of the 
Welsh and English coasts; in Scotland and Ireland it is 
much more abundant. 
As a general rule, the number in a flock of these birds 
greatly exceeds that in a flock of Whooper Swans. 
This Swan differs but little from the Whooper in its 
habits. It is fonder of tidal waters and the open sea than 
the latter. 
Flight.—The flight is swift, buoyant, and strong, when 
once the bird is fairly on the wing; the rapid beat of the 
pinions produces a highly-pitched whistling sound, audible 
at a considerable distance. 
Voice.—The voice of Bewick’s Swan has not the same 
