838 THE WHISTLING SWAN. 
No. 339. 
WHISTLING SWAN. 
A.O.U. No. 180, Olor columbianus (Ord.). 
Description.—/du/t; Entire plumage pure white, the head sometimes tinged 
with rusty; bill and lores black, the latter usually with a distinct yellow spot near 
eye; feet and legs black. /mmature: Plumage ashy gray, the head and neck 
tinged with brownish; bill and feet light. Length about 54.00 (1371.6); extent 
seven feet; wing 31.25 (539.8); tail 8.50 (215.9); bill 4.00 (101.6); tarsus 3.90 
(99.1); middle toe and claw 5.40 (137.2). 
Recognition Marks.—Brant size; pure white plumage; long neck; small 
yellow spot on lores distinctive for this species. 
Nesting.—Nest: on the ground or upon loose heap of sticks and trash, lined 
with mosses, grass, and down. Eggs: 2-5, sordid white. Av. size, 4.22 x 2.70 
(107.2 x 68.6). Season: April-June; one brood. 
General Range.—The whole of North America, breeding far north. Com- 
mander Islands, Kamschatka; accidental in Scotland. 
Range in Washington.—Not common migrant; formerly bred in some num- 
bers on the lakes of eastern Washington, where a few pairs still linger in summer. 
In danger of extermination, 
Authorities.—| Lewis and Clark, Hist. Ex. (1814) Ed. Biddle: Coues. 
Vol. Il. p. 192 f.] Cygnus americanus Sharpless, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. 
1860, p: 758. T(?). C&S. Lt. Rh. E. 
Specimens.—Proy. BN. E. 
NO fitter emblem of purity and grace will ever be found than this match- 
less daughter of the wilderness, the American Swan. If we are impelled 
to admire the stately beauty of the domestic bird, as it moves about some 
narrow duck-pond of our own contriving, how much more shall we yield 
tribute of admiration to this native princess, spotless and untamed. It is 
to be feared that our fathers set a higher value upon the gastronomic qualities 
of the Swan than upon its marvelous purity of plumage or majesty of mo- 
tion. At any rate early accounts abound with estimates of avoirdupois, and 
directions for “hanging out’’ the bird’s carcass for a given length of time, 
in order to fit it for the table; but they had less to say of the flashing splendors 
of the white-winged fleet, as they passed overhead in their semiannual 
regattas. 
During migrations the Swans move in small flocks, forming a “flying 
wedge,” or V-shaped figure, with some trusted patriarch in the lead. Their 
flight is exceedingly swift, being estimated by competent observers at one 
hundred miles per hour—probably twice that of the Geese. For all they are so 
powerful on the wing, they rise from the water rather reluctantly, and prefer, 
