462 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 



TRUMPETER- AND WHOOPER-SWANS 



The trumpeter is the bird in the foreground ; the ivhooper is remarkable for its musical note, resembling the word " whoop " quickly repeated 



They are tiny birds, resembling small ducks rather than geese, and dive admirably, a feat 

 which the larger species do not perform. 



The SWANS are linked with the Geese through a very beautiful South American species, 

 known as the COSCOROBA SWAN. It is the smallest of all the swans, pure white in colour, save 

 the tips of the greater wing-quills, which are black, and the coral-red bill and feet. 



Of all the swans, probably the best known is the MUTE SWAN, the semi-domesticated 

 descendants of which are so common on ornamental waters. For hundreds of years the 

 latter were jealously guarded, none but the larger freeholders being allowed to keep them, and 

 then not without a licence from the Crown ; with this licence was coupled an obligation to 

 mark each swan with a particular mark, cut with a knife or other instrument through the skin 

 of the beak, whereby ownership might be established. 



It would seem that these swans and their descendants were not derived from the native 

 wild stock, but were introduced into England, it is said, from Cyprus by Richard I. At the 

 present day large " swanneries " have almost ceased to exist. Perhaps the largest is that of 

 the Earl of Ilchcstcr, at Abbotsbury, near Weymouth. In 1878 between 1,300 and 1,400 

 swans were to be seen there at one time, but latterly the number has been reduced to 

 about half. 



Although swans do not perhaps stand so high in the general esteem as table delicacies 

 as with our forefathers, there are yet many who appreciate the flesh of this bird ; but the 

 St. Helen's Swan-pit at Norwich is the only place in England where they are systematically 

 fattened for the table. Here from 70 to 200 cygnets as the young swans are called 

 caught in the neighbouring rivers, are placed early in August, and fed upon cut grass and 

 barley till Christmas, when they are fit for table, weighing, when "dressed," about 15 Ibs., 



