412 PATAGONIAN EXPEDITIONS: ZOOLOGY. 



the species depended on one pair. Fortunately, in the year 1857, these 

 not only made a nest, as had been done in 1856, but hatched out four 

 young birds, which rapidly arrived at full size and colour, and at the end 

 of autumn could scarcely be distinguished from their parents. The same 

 success occurred in 1858, with the fortunate and singular result that the 

 four birds of 1857 were all males, and the birds of 1858 females." (Sclater 

 and Wolf, Zool. Sketches, i. sub tab. xlviii.) 



"Since this was written (in 1861) numerous importations of the Black- 

 necked Swan have taken place, and the species may be considered com- 

 pletely established in Europe. We have eight examples of it now in the 

 Gardens. 



"The subjoined list gives the dates of the hatchings. 



''Dates of HatcJiiiig of Black-necked Swans. (In the Zoological 

 Gardens, London.) 



"On the pampas the gauchos frequently take the black-necked swan by 

 frightening it. When the birds are feeding or resting on the grass, two 

 or three men or boys on horseback go quietly to leeward of the flock, and 

 when opposite to it suddenly wheel and charge it at full speed, uttering 

 loud shouts, by which the birds are thrown into such terror that they are 

 incapable of flying, and are quickly despatched." (Huds. Natur. La 

 Plata, 1892, pp. 201-202.) 



"Never river seemed fairer to look upon: broader than the Thames at 

 Westminster, and extending away on either hand until it melted and was 

 lost in the blue horizon, its low shores clothed in the glory of groves and 

 fruit orchards and vineyards and fields of ripening maize. Far out in the 

 middle of the swift blue current floated flocks of black necked swans, their 

 white plumage shining like foam in the sunlight ; while just beneath us, 

 scarcely a stone's throw off, stood the thatched farmhouse of our conductor, 



