ANATID/E. 469 



father, but whether that was the present species or 

 Bewick's Swan I am unable to say, as the skin got 

 moth-eaten and was destroyed, and the only note 

 I have of the occurrence is one by my father at the 

 head of Bewick's description of the Wild Swan, 

 saying, " Shot at Lydeard Ponds, Dec. 30, 1829." 

 I have also seen specimens of this bird that had 

 been shot on the marsh, and brought into Mrs. 

 Turle's, the birdstuifer at Taunton, for preserva- 

 tion. 



The Hooper is easily kept in confinement, and 

 Montagu says that the specimen above mentioned 

 as having been shot near Bridgwater was obtained 

 for him by his friend Mr. Anstice, and that having 

 recovered from its wounds it became very tame, 

 and lived on amicable terms with all his other wild 

 fowl, except a pugnacious Burrow Duck that occa- 

 sionally attacked it. 



Meyer says the food of the Hooper consists, of 

 green vegetable matter, grain and fruits, also insects 

 and their Iarva3, worms, small frogs and the fry of 

 small fishes : he adds that the manner of feeding is 

 peculiar, the bird not only seeking for its food by 

 preference in shallow water, but turning up the 

 boggy ground in order to obtain roots and worms, 

 and to such an extent is this done that where a 

 number congregate the ground is perfectly broken 

 up. 



2s 



