92 



HiKI 



l)S Ol- Xdkth CaICOI.IiNA 



Reinorks. — Few niunK'sl,ion:il)ly disliiiot species of birds resemble eaeli otlier more closely, 

 superficially, than do the Whistling and Trumpeter 8\van.s. In freshly killed specimens, at 

 least in the sprinjj. the yellow on the bill of the former and red on the bill of the latter is 

 wholly and sufficiently diagnostic. Lacking these characters, which are always wanting in 

 old, dried skins, the birds can be distinguished by the larger size of biircinalor in connection 

 with the f.-ict that its nostrils are nearer the center of the bill than in cotiitnhiiniuK (which has 

 them nearer the tip), while bucdtmlor usuallj- has 24, instead of the 20 tail-feathers of colum- 

 biunus. (Chap., liird.s nj K. ,V. A.) 



Range. — North .\merica, brceditig far northward; in winter from Delaware to South Caro- 

 lina, and westward. 



Range in North^Ciirutina. — Mainly on Currituck Sound in winter. 



Fia. 59. WiiisTi-ixa Sw.vx. 



The Wliistling Swan is tlio largest of our water-fowl; and when swans gather, 

 as they often do in immense flocks, the mass of snowy plumage presents a sight 

 comparaljlc only to a snow-hank or glistening iee-floe. They rise heavily against 

 the w^ind, l>ut when a safe altitude has lieen reachcii, the flock, with set wings, sails 

 along in a manner truly magnificent. 



Swans feed in shallow water, reaching down with tlicir long necks for the water- 

 grasses, small shellfish, and Crustacea, which compose their chief diet. They are 

 common winter residents in Currituck Sotmd, some few wandering regularly south 

 of Roanoke Island. Small flocks are found in Pamlico Sound, but they are not 

 often seen in the State south of there. Occasionally some straggler wanders inland. 

 Such a one was killed on the Tar River near Louishurg in Franklin C'oimty by 



