120 POPULAR OFFICIAL GUIDE. 



mountains of Central Asia, nesting always over a mile above 

 the sea. It is perhaps the handsomest of all geese. 



The Swans. Usually at least six out of the seven known 

 species of Swans may be seen on exhibition here. 



The Mute Swan, (Cygnus olor}, is the commonest swan in 

 captivity, and is the one made famous in European history 

 and legend. It may always be known from the other spe- 

 cies by the black knob at the base of the bill. It breeds 

 freely in captivity and the young birds are known as 

 cygnets. 



The Trumpeter Swan, (Cygnus buccinator], being the larg- 

 est bird in the aviary, and also snowy white, is therefore 

 the most conspicuous. Several fine specimens are shown on 

 the North Island, living contentedly with other species. 

 Some of these specimens were captured in Idaho, when 

 young enough to take kindly to captivity. 



The Black Swan, (Chenopsis atrata'), of South Australia 

 and Tasmania, is as glossy black, excepting its primaries, 

 as other swans are white. It is a large and handsome bird, 

 and much sought by all persons who form collections of 

 water fowl. 



The Coscoroba Swan, (Coscoroba coscoroba}, is a fair con- 

 necting link between the swans and the ducks, partaking 

 about equally of the characters of each. In size and color 

 it is very much like our snow goose, (Chen hyperborca), but 

 it is peculiar in possessing very long legs of a bright pink 

 color, by which it is quickly recognized. Its bill, also, is 

 pink, and the tips of its primaries are black. The Coscoroba 

 Swan is a native of southern South America, and a fe\y years 

 ago specimens were so rare in captivity that a pair sold 

 for $300. 



THE FLYING CAGE, No. 4. 



This mammoth bird-cage is one of the wonders of the 

 Zoological Park. It represents an attempt to do for certain 

 large and showy water birds, precisely what has been done 

 for the hoofed' animals, the beaver, otter, and other spe- 

 cies give them a section of Nature's own domain. In this 

 they can fly to and fro, build nests and rear their young in 

 real freedom. 



Near the lower end of Bird Valley, as a sort of climax 



