NATATORES ANATID.E — CYGNUS. 353 



GENUS CYGNUS. Meyer. - 



Bill moderate, of nearly equaF breadth throughout, subcylindric above, furnished at its base 

 with a knob or fleshy tumor, convex above. Upper mandible unguiculated, and curved at 

 the tip ; the lower fiat. Nostrils medial. Neck very long. Lores naked. Tarsus shorter 

 than the middle toe. Tail short, graduated. 



THE AMERICAN SWAN. 



Cygnus americanus. 

 > plate cv. fig. 235. 



Cygnus fortu. Sn.iiiri.Ess, Cabinet of Natural Nistory, Vol. 1, p. 181, pi. 16. 



C. americanus. Id. Am. Jour. Sc. Vol. 22. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 6, p. 226, pi. 384. 



Characteristics. White : bill and feet black ; top of the head tinged with brownish red. 

 An orange patch, more or less distinct, from the anterior angle of the 

 eye. Length, 56*0. 



Description. Bill rather longer than the head. Tibia bare for an inch and a half. Second 

 quill longest. Tail short, much rounded, and of twenty broad rounded feathers. 



Color, as in specific phrase. The young light bluish grey ; fore and upper parts of the 

 head tinged with red ; the bill reddish flesh-color. The nak:d space between the eye and 

 bill of the adult, feathered in the young. 



Length, 53-0-60-0. 



This species was first shown to be specifically distinct from those of Europe by Dr. Sharp- 

 less. It breeds in high northern latitudes, and enters the United States through the interior, 

 a few only appearing along the coast. In the uninhabited regions of Hamilton and Herkimer 

 counties in this State, this species, as I was informed by trustworthy hunters, remains during 

 the whole year, where it must necessarily breed. The outlet of Lake Paskungameh, or 

 Tupper's lake, was specified as a spot to which they were particularly attached. The eggs 

 are from five to seven in number, greenish. It is very common on the Chesapeake bay during 

 the winter. Abundant also on the Pacific coast of America. 



(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 



C. buccinator, Richardson. (Aud. B. of Am. Vol. 6, p. 219, pi. 382 and 383.) White: bill and 

 feet black. Tail graduated, of 24 feathers. Head brownish red or white. Young, greyish white, 

 tinged with yellow; head reddish brown ; throat and lower eyelid white. Length, 53*0 -68 '9. 

 Ohio and South-Carolina. Northern regions. Northwest coast of America. 

 [Fauna — Part 2.] 45 



