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THE BLACK SWAN. 



beak, which is slender, without the black tubercle, and is black at the 

 tip and yellow at the base, the latter color stretching as far as the 

 eye. 



" The nest of the Hooper is like that of the Mute Swan, and the eggs 

 are pale brownish white. The length of the Hooper is about the same 

 as that of the mute species — i. e., five feet. 



However emblematical of ornithological fiction a Black Swan might 

 have been in ancient times, it is now almost as familiar to English eyes 

 as any of the white species. 



This fine bird comes from Australia, where it was first discovered in 

 1698. It is a striking and handsome bird, the blood-red bill and the 



The Mute 8wan (Oygnvs olor) and the Whistling Swan {Q/gnus ferus). 



white primaries contrasting beautifully with the deep black of the 

 plumage. It is not so elegant in its movements as the White Swan, 

 and holds its neck stiffly, without the easy serpentine grace to which 

 we are so well accustomed in our British Swans. 



There are very many species of Ducks, of which we can take but a 

 few examples. 



The well-known Widgeon is very plentiful in this country, arriving 



