138 RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA. 



The trumpeter-swan {Cygnus hiiacmator) is a very large 

 bird, measuring five feet from the point of the bill to the end of 

 the tail, and six feet across from tip to tip of the outstretched 

 wings. The plumage is snowy-white in color, its legs and bill 

 black. The name of " trumpeter" is given to it because of its 

 clarion-like scream, which is heard as it flies. It frequents the 

 lakes in the northern and northeastern parts of the state, and 

 is sometimes seen in the rivers. It is a shy bird, and is rarely 

 killed. 



The American swan, founds also on the Atlantic slope of the 

 continent, is similar in appearance and size to the trumpeter, 

 but lacks its loud voice, and is otherwise distinguishable from 

 it chiefly by having an orange-colored spot on its bill in front 

 of the eye, whereas the bill of the Cygnus buccinator is en- 

 tirely black. 



Wild geese are very abundant in California during the 

 sj)ring and fall, when they pass through on their migrations. 

 Among them are the Canada goose {Bernicla canadensis)^ the 

 snow-goose {Anser Jiyperboreus)^ the white-footed goose, or 

 " speckled belly" {Anser ergthrojms), Hutchins's goose (7?e?-- 

 nicla Imtchinsii), and the black brandt {JBcryiicla nigricans). 

 Hutchins's goose is more abundant than any of the others. 

 Some of them, Avhile in the state, get all their food in the tules ; 

 others in the spring resort to the fields of young grain, where 

 they pasture. Dr. Newberry says : " I was much interested in 

 noticing the perfect harmony of intercourse which seemed to ex- 

 ist among the smaller species. They intermingled freely while 

 feeding, and when alarmed arose without separation; and I 

 have seen a triangle flying steadily high over my head, com- 

 posed of individuals of three species, each plainly distinguish- 

 able by its plumage, but each holding its place in the geomet- 

 rical figure, as though it was composed of entirely homogene- 

 ous material ; perhaps unequal members of the darker species, 

 with three, four, or more pure snow-white geese flying togeth- 

 er somewhere in the converging lines." 



AmoniT the ducks of California are the mallard and canvas- 



