436 WHISTLING SWAN. 



HABITS. 



Although the Flamingos are common residents on the Bahamas, they are very rare 

 now on the Florida Keys. In fact, they have never been abundant there, nor could I learn 

 that they ever bred on these islands, all the inhabitants asserting that formerly, as well as 

 at present, these fine birds only appeared on the West side of the Gulf Stream during sum- 

 mer, after they had reared their young on the Bahamas. They remain on the Florida 

 Keys, however, until after they have moulted. The feathers of the Flamingos fall off in 

 large quantities, as in all members of the present order, even the wing quills-being dropped, 

 and nearly all are shed at one time; thus the birds are then unable to fly and consequently 

 are comparatively helpless. At this time, they resort to the mud tints among the interior 

 keys, where they can feed in comparative safety; but at high tide, they are forced to take 

 refuge on the small islands, and then are sometimes surprised by the wreckers who tak- 

 ing advantage of the fact that they cannot rise, easily capture them. 



I have never seen a Flamingo in Florida but the members of onu of my expeditions, 

 were more fortunate, as they saw a flock of seven specimens come in from across the Gulf 

 Stream, and alight on a mud flat. By placing a tame White Pelican in the bow of a little 

 skiff and concealing themselves behind him, two of the men managed to approach within 

 long gun-shot of these wary birds, when, by a single discharge of a large gun with which 

 they were provided, they killed six, only one escaping. 



FAMILY II. ANATID.E. THE SWANS, DUCKS, GEESE, ETC. 



Legs, short. Neck, variable. Bill, straight, usually wide but occasionally narrow and 

 rather pointed. Marginal indentations, open or inclosed. 



Members of this family can be easily recognized by the peculiarly robust form, and 

 characters given above. The species are distributed throughout the world. The anatom- 

 ical characters are somewhat variable. The cceca, hbwever, are present and very long. 



GENUS I. CYGNUS. THE SWANS. 



GEN. CH. Neck, very tony. Bill, at least as long as fiead, high at base, and wide at tip. Tail feathers, twenty or 

 more. Hind toe, short and rounded. 



The stomach is very muscular. Cceca, long. The trachea is peculiar, somewhat resembling that of the Cranes, as 

 it enters the sternum in a similar manner. Sexes, similar. There are two species within our limits. 



CYGNUS AMERICANUS. 



Whistling Swan. 

 Cygnus Americanus SHARP., Doughty's Cab. N. H., I; 1830, 185. 



DESCRIPTION. 



SP. CH. Form, robust. Size, very large. Bill, about as long as head, broad and high at base with nostrils situated 

 in the center. COLOR. Adult. Pure white throughout. Iris, brown; feet and bill, black, the latter with a yellowish 

 spot in front of eye. Young. Similar to the adult but overwashed with bluish-ash and reddish. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Readily known by the height of bill at base, the orange spot on its side, and centrally situated nostrils. Distributed 

 in summer throughout the Arctic Regions, wintering from the Carolinas to New Jersey. Very rare during the migration, 

 in New England. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of specimens from North America. Length, 54'50; stretch, 82-00; wing, 22-00; tail, 7*35; lull, 

 4'25; tuvsus, 4 '25. Longest specimen, 55-00; greatest extent of wing, 84 '00; longest wing, 23-00; tail, 7-50, liill,4-50; tarsus, 

 4 50. Shoitest specimen, 53-00; smallest extent of wing, SO'OO; shortest wing, 21 '00; tail, 7'00; bill, 4'00; tarsus, 3'1>5. 



