The Swans. 37 



measures about 21; the tarsus about 4; 

 and the middle toe and claw, about 5 '8. 

 The tail is rounded, the distance between 

 the tip of the outermost feather and the 

 tip of the middle pair of feathers being 

 less than two inches. 



The young bird is pale brown, and it 

 becomes white in the second autumn. 

 Intermediate specimens have a mixture 

 of white and brown feathers. The base 

 of the bill is paler yellow than in the 

 adult. 



About thirty years ago, Swinhoe de- 

 scribed a Swan from China under the 

 name of Cygnus davidi. His description 

 of the bird is very imperfect, but the 

 colour of the legs and feet is stated to be 

 orange-yellow — a remarkable character. 



