of the United States. 379 



and thick, very soft and light. Colors uniform. Size very 

 large ; largest of the Order. 



Habits aquatic. Live on fresh water, rivers or ponds: ad- 

 mirably built for swimming, surpassing all other birds in grace 

 and elegance on the water: often in swimming spread out their 

 wings as if sailing. Feed in the water, reaching to the bottom 

 in shallow places, by means of their long neck : from their 

 conformation and the lightness of their plumage, unable to sink 

 their body. Food chiefly vegetable, also reptiles, especially 

 frogs, and small aquatic animals, which they seek in the mud 

 under water, hardly ever preying on fishes, which they even 

 protect ; hence, and for their beauty and elegance, kept on fish 

 ponds as ornaments. Strictly monogamous : unlike all other 

 birds, copulate standing and facing each other in the water : 

 build on ground in the vicinity of, or surrounded by water : nest 

 composed of marsh plants in large quantity. Male protect- 

 ing the female while sitting, and partaking the parental cares. 

 When resting, place one foot on the back. Walk awkwardly. 

 Flight very heavy ; when elevated, rapid and protracted. 



Inhabit all over the globe. Four species only, though 

 others have been injudiciously added : one in North, one in 

 South America, one in New Holland, and two in Europe, 

 of which one is identical with the North American. Connects 

 Anser with Anas, perhaps more closely allied to the latter. 



321. Cygnus musicus, Bechst. White, top of the head yel- 

 lowish ; bill black, without protuberance ; bare space round 

 the eye yellow. 



Young light cinereous, bare space round the eye flesh- 

 color. 



Whistling Swan, Lath. Cigno salvatico, St. degli ucc. ii. 

 pi. 554. Anas cygnus, L. Lath. Swan of Wilson's list. C. 

 melanorhyncus, Meyer. 



Inhabits the Arctic circle, whence it migrates in both con- 

 tinents : very numerous in winter in Chesapeake Bay ; a rare 



