12 WATER FOWL OF INDIA AND ASIA, 
At the close of the second year, when the plumage, as in 
the other species, has become white, the bill has assumed 
its full colour of yellow and black. 
In size it is about equal to the Mute Swan, but has a 
longer bill, about four inches in length. 
Thus the light face will always distinguish the 
Whooper, in addition to the difference in the position of 
the nostrils, which in this species are in the middle of 
the bill. The tail also in the Whooper is shorter and 
rounded, while in the Mute Swanit is longer and pointed. 
The Whooper is a more northern species than the 
Mute Swan, breeding in high latitudes in Europe and 
Asia, and wintering in the greater part of the former 
Continent, and inthe temperate regions of the latter. 
It has only thrice been found in India. Hodgson ob- 
tained a specimen in the Nepal Valley in January 1829. 
This, or rather its skull and foot, had been referred by 
Mr. Hume to the smaller species Cygnus bewtckhi ; but 
Blanford regarded the relics as undoubtedly pertaining 
to a Whooper. No other specimen as was recorded 
till rg00, when Lieutenant-General W. Osborn, 1.s.c., 
shot one out of a flock of four on the River Beas on 
January 6th. Also, on January 31st, 1904, Mr. J. 
Crerar shot one on the Changra Dhand in Sind. 
The Whooper is a much greater vocaliser than the 
other species ; it has, indeed, a very fine trumpet-lhke 
call. It walks better on land, and a winged bird will 
make a good run for its lite, and has even been known 
to charge when overtaken. On the water, however, 
this species does not equal the Mute Swan in beauty, as 
it carries its neck straight and does not raise its wings. 
The light yellow face also, and knobless beak, com- 
pletely deprive the Wild Swan of the haughty and 
dignified air of its rival. It lays four to six yellowish 
white eggs. 
The windpipe in this species is much elongated and 
coiled, the coils being lodged in the keel of the breast- 
bone. 
