IQO DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



the above records it appears certain that the Brant is an irregular 

 or very casual migrant in Iowa. 



Subfamily CYGNIN.^. Swans. 



Two species of Swans are found in the state, during the migra- 

 tions onl3^ Both are large, heavy birds, pure white when in full 

 plumage, and remarkable for the long, slender neck. Swans are 

 chiefly vegetarian, but feed to some extent on small molluscs. 



Genus Olor Wagler. 



64. (180). 0/or cohinibiaims {Ord). Whistling Swan. 



Though the reports of observers are somewhat at variance on 

 the question of abundance, the Whistling Swan appears to be 

 much more common than the Trumpeter Swan in Iowa. It breeds 

 in the far North, but passes regularly through Iowa both in the 

 .spring and fall, when its large size and striking appearance make 

 it a conspicuous target for the gunners who take delight in slaugh- 

 tering every unusual bird or mammal which passes within their 

 notice. In this manner many species which are conspicuous either 

 by reason of their large size or striking coloration, although not 

 useful for food, have been practically exterminated or their num- 

 bers greatly reduced in localities where they were formerly abund- 

 ant. 



The Whistling Swan is an early migrant in spring. Thomas 

 Say records Anas {Cyg7ins Meyer) cygniis at Engineers' Canton- 

 ment, "flying to the north, Feb. 22, 1820" (Long's Exp., i, 226- 

 270). The usual time of migration is in March, but .specimens 

 have been taken the first week in April. In the fall they seldom 

 appear before November. 



County records: Boone — "arrive here usually in March; not 

 nearly so plentiful as in former years. After becoming bewil- 

 dered during a north-wester' they become an easy mark for the 

 hunter and many are killed at such times throughout the county" 

 (Henning). Hancock — mounted one shot on Eake Edwards, 

 March 24, 1896 (Anderson). Jackson — "tolerably common tran- 

 sient; my last record is March 27, 1892, a specimen sent to me for 

 mounting" (Giddings). Johnson — "specimens in University mu- 

 seum — a young female (gray plumage) shot three miles south of 

 Iowa City, Nov. 15, 1902, by W\ J. Kul)ichek: three seen; female, 



