256 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



with the distinguishing brand of the society to which the parent bird 

 belonged. 



Two species of Swans were recognised by Linnaeus ; but later 

 naturalists, and notably the Prince of Canino, record four species 

 as known in Europe designating Cygnus olor, C. immutabilis, 

 C. musictts, and C. Bewickii besides the American species, namely, 

 C. americanus and C. buccinator. There is another species peculiar 

 to Australia, which is entirely black : efforts have been made suc- 

 cessfully to naturalise it in Europe. 



THE BLACK SWAN (Cygnus atratus). 



We here give a representation (Fig. 94) of the Black Swan of 

 Australia. This bird, which has now become so common in our 

 ornamental waters, in some respects resembles the white species ; it 

 is all black, except a few of the secondary feathers, which are white. 

 In a state of nature the Black Swans are generally seen floating on 

 lakes in flocks of eight or nine. When disturbed, they fly in single 

 file, and are so shy that it is very difficult to get within gunshot. 

 Their note is less harsh than that of the Whistling Swan. 



THE FLAMINGO (Phcmicopterus). 



The Flamingoes (PJumicopterus) are one of the most curious of 

 the tribe of Waders. The most fanciful imagination would fail to 

 picture to itself anything more odd than the conformation of this 

 bird. Extremely long legs, supporting quite a small body ; a neck 

 corresponding in length with the legs ; a bill rather long than other- 

 wise, sharply curved and apparently broken in the middle, contrived 

 probably to discourage those who are tempted to describe it ; wings 

 of a middling size, and a short tail such are the distinctive features 

 of this remarkable-looking bird. The long legs terminate in equally 

 long feet, with three toes in front ; hind toe articulated high up the 

 tarsus, and very short ; anterior toes united by a deeply-indented 

 membrane. Add to this a plumage of a rose colour, warming into a 

 bright red on the back and wings, and we have an object calculated 

 to excite both wonder and admiration. 



Ancient writers, struck with the vivid colourings of its wings, gave 

 the Flamingo the designation of Phanicopterus (fiery-winged) ; this 

 term was popularised in France by the word flambant, QI flamant: 

 hence the name by which the bird is universally known. 



