WILD FOWL. 47 



" I have never observed any Swans of this species along the 

 Atlantic coasts, or on the rivers that open upon it, beyond Cape 

 Hatteras in North Carolina; and although they are very nu- 

 merous on the waters of Chesapeake Bay, and the streams 

 adjacent, as well as in other parts of the middle districts, I am 

 yet of the opinion that the great body of them spend the winter 

 about the Columbia River, extending their autumnal migrations 

 westward, along the shores of the Pacific Ocean into California, 

 and that the columns formed by these birds when about to 

 leave their breeding grounds in high latitudes, divide into par- 

 ties, of which the less numerous bands make their way from 

 certain points as yet unknown, toward our middle districts, while 

 the rest are perhaps following the valleys of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains. 



" When travelling to a distance they proceed at a great 

 heigh", with a steady and well sustained flight, though by no 

 means so rapid as the Trumpeter Swan, this difference proba- 

 bly arising fi'om the greater weight and alar extent of the latter. 

 They usually move in long lines forming the acute angle of a 

 baseless triangle, the leader often changing his position and 

 falling into the rear. On several occasions I have seen seven or 

 eight leaiding the long single files behind them in a kind of 

 disorderly crowded manner, which was continued until the birds 

 were out of sight. 



" Not having had sufiicient opportunities of studying the 

 habits of these birds on the waters of the Chesapeake, where they 

 are most numerous, while in the middle districts, I here pre- 

 sent you with an account of them, kindly transmitted to me by 

 Dr. Sharpless, of Philadelphia. 



" About the first of September, the Swans leave the shores of 

 the Polar Sea. according to Franklin, and resort to the lakes arid 

 rivers in and about Hudson's Bay, (60 degs.,) where they re- 

 main, preparing for a departure for the winter, until October, 

 when they collect in flocks of twenty or thirty, and seizing favo— 

 able weather, they mount high in the air, form a prolonged 

 wedo-e, and with loud screams depart for more genial climes. 



