238 BRITISH SEA BIRDS. 
frequently during long-continued frost, flights of 
ten, twenty, or more, passing in long rows, one 
behind the other, uttering their loud clanging cries 
as they go. The flight of this species is rapid and 
regular, the swish swish of the long wings being 
heard for a long distance, and the bird’s long neck 
outstretched. There are few more graceful birds 
on the water than the Mute Swan, with its arched 
neck and raised plumes, yet the Hooper is even 
ungainly looking, the neck being held straight. 
Hoopers, are shy and wary birds, and generally 
keep well out from shore, except when feeding. 
The food of this Swan is mostly of a vegetable 
nature, aquatic plants and grasses, but insects and 
molluscs are also eaten. Its note sounds almost 
like the short blast of a trumpet, uttered in 
succession. 
The Hooper Swan breeds in the Arctic regions 
of Europe and Asia, its favourite resorts being the 
islands in the deltas of the great rivers that flow 
into the northern ocean, or on the banks of the 
great lakes on the tundras, or beside one of the 
many creeks or inlets spreading out from the main 
rivers. This Swan pairs for life. The huge nest 
is composed of coarse grass and other herbage, 
piled up on the ground, and often increased in bulk 
as incubation proceeds. The eggs, from three to 
seven in number, are creamy-white in colour and 
rough in texture. 
