22 DUCK SHOOTING. 



extremely long necks, and are usually white in color, 

 although the Australian black swan forms a notable 

 exception. The naked skin of the bill extends back to 

 the eyes. Only two species — with a European form 

 attributed to Greenland — are found in North America. 

 One of these, the common swan, covers the whole coun- 

 try, while the slightly larger trumpeter swan is found 

 chiefly in the West. The swans constitute a sub-family 

 of the Anatidce, and are known to ornithologists as the 

 Cygnincs. 



Less in size than the swans and in form intermediate 

 between them and the ducks are the geese. They have 

 necks much longer than the ducks, yet not so long as 

 the swans. Like the swans, they feed by stretching 

 down their necks through the water and tearing up 

 vegetable food from the bottom. Geese and swans do 

 not dive, except to escape the pursuit of enemies. Most 

 species are found within the limits of the United States 

 only in autumn or winter, and breed far to the north, 

 although up to the time of the settlement of the west- 

 ern country the Canada goose commonly nested on the 

 prairies and along the Missouri River, sometimes 

 building its nest in trees; that is to say, on the tops of 

 broken cottonwood stubs, standing thirty or forty feet 

 above the ground. The settling up of the country has, 

 for the most part, deprived these birds of their summer 

 home, and it may be questioned whether they now 

 breed regularly anywhere within the United States, 

 except in the Yellowstone Park, where protection is 

 afforded them. 



