80 ANATID^E 



AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 



TOTAL LENGTH ... ... ... 60 in. 



WING 25 



BEAK 4'2 



TARSO-METATARSUS 4-25 ,, 



EGG 4'5 x 2'9 in. 



BEWICK'S SWAN. Cygnus bewicU (Yarrell). 



Coloured Figures. Gould, * Birds of Great Britain,' vol. v, 

 pi. 10; Dresser, 'Birds of Europe,' vol. vi, pi. 419, 

 fig. 3 ; Lilford, ' Coloured Figures,' vol. vii, pi. '60. 



The late Mr. Yarrell first identified this bird as a distinct 

 species; for a long time it had been conf9unded with the 

 Whooper. 



In a state of nature, the two species of Wild Swans do 

 not intermix, so that a chance of comparing their relative 

 sizes is thereby not afforded. When placed side by side, 

 there is no difficulty in distinguishing the one from the 

 other, for the Whooper is one-third the larger, and the 

 distribution of the yellow patch at the end of its beak differs 

 considerably. 



Bewick's Swan is a visitant to our shores during the 

 winter months only, the numbers which migrate increasing 

 with the severity of the weather. Like the Whooper, it 

 remains with us but a few months, arriving during December 

 and departing towards the end of February. 



Bewick's Swan is not uncommon along parts of the 

 Welsh and English coasts; in Scotland and Ireland it is 

 much more abundant. 



As a general rule, the number in a flock of these birds 

 greatly exceeds that in a flock of Whooper Swans. 



This Swan differs but little from the Whooper in its 

 habits. It is fonder of tidal waters and the open sea than 

 the latter. 



Flight. The flight is swift, buoyant, and strong, when 

 once the bird is fairly on the wing ; the rapid beat of the 

 pinions produces a highly-pitched whistling sound, audible 

 at a considerable distance. 



Voice. The voice of Bewick's Swan has not the same 



