THE SAVIMMING, OR NATATOMAL GKOUr. 187 



old birds have moulted their quill feathevs, and 

 are unable to fly, swan hunting commences. 

 Many are ridden down by men mounted on 

 small hardy horses, accustomed to swamps 

 and bogs, which other horses would be unable 

 to traverse ; but most are killed by dogs, which 

 are trained to seize them by the neck, and 

 thus quickly despatch and secure them. Swan 

 hunting in Iceland is a scene of bustle, anima- 

 tion, and excitement, and the more so as the 

 interests of the natives are concerned in the 

 success of this singular chase. 



Bewick's Swan, {Cygnus Bewickii — Yar- 

 rell,) a species first distinguished by Mr. 

 Yarrell, is smaller than the hooper, and differs 

 besides in the structure of the windpipe, the 

 great loop of which not only passes into the 

 keel of the breastbone, which it traverses, but 

 also passes into a cavity of the flat portion of 

 the breastbone itself, where before being re- 

 flected back it takes a considerable curve, and 

 then returns upon the trough of the keel. The 

 beak also exhibits some differences. 



The cygnus Beivickii is a native of the high 

 northern regions of Europe and America, and 

 probably also of Asia. It is only during 

 severe winters that flocks of this species visit 



