( 298 ) 



part of breast and sides, blackish gray ; hind part of back, and up- 

 per tail coverts, ash gray ; abdomen grayish white — secondaries 

 margined with the same; bill flesh color. 



With us, the occurrence of this bird is not frequent. Occasional- 

 ly the young are seen exposed for sale in the New- York markets, 

 though rarely the adult. In some seasons, small parties are seen 

 on the South Bay, and now and then stragglers are seen flying in 

 company with the Canada Geese. The whiteness of their plumage 

 renders them very conspicuous, and when opportunity offers, are al- 

 ways singled out by the gunners. 



"The Snow Goose breeds in the barren grounds of Arctic Amer- 

 ica in great numbers. It feeds on rushes and insects, and in Au- 

 tumn on berries. When well feci, it is a very excellent bird — far 

 superior to the Canada Goose, both in juiciness and flavor." 



"The Snow Geese u ake their appearance in Spring, a few days 

 later than the Canada Geese, and pass in large flocks both through 

 the interior and on the sea coast. ' — Fauna boreali Americana, part 

 II. page 467. 



GENUS CYGN US— MEYER. 



SWAN. 



[Bill longer than the head, higher than broad, at :he base depressed, and a 

 little widened toward tliG end ; rounded, upper mandible, with 'lie tlirsal line, 

 sloping; lower mandible flattened, with the anyle very long, and rather narrow ; 

 rostiils placed near the ridge ; bead of moderate s'ze, oblong compressed ; neck 

 extremely long and slender; body very large, compact, depressed ; feet short, 

 flout — placed a little behind :hc centre of the body ; tarsi short; wings long; 

 Lroad ; tad very short, graduated ] 



CYGNUS AMERICANUS— SHARPLESS. 



AMERICAN SWAN. 



American Wild Swan, Cygnus Amcricanus, Sharpless, Amcr. 



Jour, of S ience and Arts. 

 American Swan, Cygnus Amcricanus, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Plumage pure white ; bill and feet black, 

 Length of the specimen before us, 4 feet, wing 21 i inches. 



The American Swan passes the season of reproduction at the 

 dreary regions of the far North. At the approach of winter, it re- 



