394 DUCKS. 



lengthwise, and one in each leg, and there is besides an unattached 

 stick which serves to support the skjut-ko when resting on the 

 ground. At the shoulder there is a hole for tlie protrusion of the 

 gun-barrel. The accompanying humorous sketch gives no bad 

 idea of the device in question. 



The type of this sub-family is — 



The White-fronted Goose [Aiiser albifrons). 



Stih-Fauiily IV. 



THE SWANS. CYGXIN-i:. 



General CHARACXErasTics. — Bill nearly the length of the head, higher at the b'hse 

 than broad, and covered with a soft cere, which in most extends to each eye, tlie 

 breadth of the bill uniform throughout ; the tarsi moderate, and the toes lengthened, 

 with the anterior one united by a full web, the hind toe short and not margined with 

 -1 membranous lobe ; the neck very long. 



These graceful birds are principally distributed in the northern 

 latitudes of Europe, Asia, and America. They appear, however, 

 in the more genial portions of these three continents during 

 extreme winters ; and there are certain species peculiar to the 

 southern parts of South America. They live in the lakes and 

 rivers, in small parties of from five to thirty individuals. Various 

 fishes and aquatic plants form their chief food, in seeking for 

 which they have the power of submerging their heads for some 

 depth below the surface of the water, where they retain them for 

 a considerable time. Their nest is formed of a heap of dry 

 vegetable matter, and the female lays from five to seven eggs. 



About the ist of September the Swans leave the Polar Sea, 

 and resort to the lakes and rivers in and about the latitude of 

 Hudson's Bay, where they remain preparing for a departure for 

 the winter till October, when they collect in flocks of from twenty 

 to thirty, and seizing a favourable opportunity, with the wind not 

 opposed to the direction of their flight, they mount high in tlie 

 air, form a prolonged wedge, and with loud screams depart for 

 more genial climes. When making either their semi-annual trans- 

 migration, or on shorter expeditions, an occasional scream, equal 

 to " How do you all come on behind t " issues from the leader, 

 which is almost immediately replied to by some posterior swan, 



