306 APPENDIX. 



THE WHITE SWAN. 



American Swan. 

 Cygnus Americanus, Aud. 



Specific Character. Plumage, pure white; bill 

 and feet black ; length of the specimen before us, 

 four feet ; wing twenty-one and a half inches. 



These magnificent birds, the most majestic of the 

 game-birds of our continent, are rarely shot to the 

 northward and eastward of Chesapeake bay, but 

 are much more abundant in the far West even to 

 and beyond the Rocky Mountains. 



FRESH-WATER DUCKS. 



Genus Anas, Linn. 



Generic Distinctions. Bill higher than broad at 

 the base, widening towards the end, and about the 

 same length as the head ; the upper mandible with a 

 slight nail at the end ; neck rather long ; body full ; 

 wings moderate, pointed ; feet short, stout, and placed 

 behind the centre of the body ; walks with a wad- 

 dling gait ; hind toe furnished with a narrow mem- 

 brane. 



MALLARD. 



Green Head, English Duck, Grey Duck (female), the 

 Duck, the Wild Duck. 



Anas Boschas, Wils. 



Specific Character. Speculum bright purple, re- 

 flecting green, bordered with black; secondaries 



