BIRDS OF ONTARIO 21 



{173) Brant. 



(Branta bernicola.) 

 A rare visitor. Breeds on the shores of the Arctic Sea. 



Subfamily CYGNIN^. (The Swans.) 

 Genus OLOR. 



(*) (180) Whistling Swan. 



(Olor columbianus.J 

 Of somewhat irregular occurrence ; generally a few are seen in the 

 spring. Breeds on the shores of the Arctic Sea. 



(*) (181 Trumpeter Swan. 



(Olor buccinator.) 



Like the last, rarely seen now. Breeds on the barren grounds and 

 in the marshes of the far north. 



Order HERODIONES. (Herons, Ibises, etc.) 



Wading birds with compressed bodies, long legs and long neck; 

 tibia naked below, feet not palmate ; toes long and slender, cleft or 

 slightly webbed, the hind toe long and usually not elevated, provided 

 with a large claw. Wings broad, rounded, tail short. Head contracted 

 to the stout base of the bill, which is long and usually hard and acute, 

 with sharp cutting edges ; nostrils small. They feed upon fish, frogs, 

 mice, and such young birds as may fall in their way. 



Family IBIDID^. 



Bill very long and slender, compressed, cylindric, curved through- 

 out, the upper mandible with a deep groove reaching nearly or quite "to 

 the tip; legs rather long, the toes slightly webbed at base'. Head more 

 or less naked ; wings broad ; tail short ; tarsus scutellate in front. 



Genus PLEGADIS. 



(*) (186) Glossy Ibis. 



(Plegadis autumnalis.) 

 An accidental visitor. Mr. Mcllwraith records the capture of two 

 near Hamilton in 1857. I have not heard of any others. 



Family ARDEID^. (The Herons, Etc.) 



Bill straight, longer than the head, compressed, acute with sharp 

 cutting edges; upper mandible grooved; nostrils linear; lores naked, the 



