196 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



Adult female similar, but rather smaller than the male. 

 Young like those of C. olor, but with the bill dull flesh-colour, with a 

 dark tip, feet dull flesh-colour. 



As mentioned in the article on the preceding species, the Whooper 

 appears to have a fair claim to be included in the Tunisian Ornis, and 

 is probably to be found on the lakes of the north of the Eegenc^y, if 

 not regularly every winter, at least in severe seasons. A friend of 

 mine, INIr. T. L. Smith, who used to live near Mater, informs me 

 that he has seen Swans passing over his farm situated near that town. 

 Loche states that it is often found on the large lakes of Algeria, though 

 less plentifully than it used to be at one time. In Italy and Sicily the 

 species occurs from time to time, and it is said to have occurred in 

 Malta. In South Spain it also appears to be met with occasionally. 



In its habits generally the present species does not seem to differ 

 much from the Mute Swan, though, far from being silent, it may often 

 be heard when passing overhead on migration. Its note is a loud 

 sonorous " luhoop," whence the bird's English name. 



Although Loche does not include Bewick's Swan (C. beivicki) 

 among the birds of Algeria, an undoubted example of this species, 

 purporting to have been obtained on Lake Fetzara in Algeria, is to 

 be found in the Milan Museum under the Museum Register No. 

 17,94:1. Bewick's Swan, although the rarest of the three species of 

 Swans, is perhaps less uncommon in the Mediterranean than it is 

 generally supposed to be. In Italy it has been obtained on several 

 occasions, and over twenty instances of its capture in the Peninsula 

 are recorded, the most recent being that of a fine adult specimen 

 secured on the royal property of San Eossore near Pisa. This 

 example was presented by H.M. the King of Italy to the University 

 collection in Kome. 



