HOOPER 



WHISTLING SWAN HOOPING SWAN ELK. 



PLATE CLXXXVII. 



Cygnusferus, .... RAY. WILLUGHBY. 

 Anas cygnus, .... LINNAEUS. GMELIN. 



nest of this annual visitor from the North is of 

 1 a large size, made of reeds, rushes, and other water- 

 plants, and is lined with down, with which the eggs are 

 also covered. It is about a foot and a half in diameter, 

 and is placed not far from the water, often in an island 

 in a lake. It is begun to be made about the middle of 

 March, and is built on the ground. 



The eggs are of a pale dull brownish or yellowish 

 white. They vary in number from two to five, though 

 mature females will lay a greater number. 



The female sits, it is stated, for forty-two days. She 

 and her mate are united, it is said, for life. They keep 

 the place of their nest free from intrusion, and resolutely 

 repel any intruder. 



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