92 



BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



Remarks. Few unquestionably distinct species of birds resemble each other more closely, 

 superficially, than^do the Whistling and Trumpeter Swans. In freshly killed specimens, at 

 least in the spring, the yellow on the bill of the former and red on the bill of the latter is 

 wholly and sufficiently diagnostic. Lacking these characters, which are always wanting in 

 old, dried skins, the birds can be distinguished by the larger size of buccinator in connection 

 with the fact that its nostrils are nearer the center of the bill than in columbianus (which has 

 them nearer the tip), while buccinator usually has 24, instead of the 20 tail-feathers of colum- 

 bianus. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) 



Range. North America, breeding far northward; in winter from Delaware to South Caro- 

 lina, and westward. 



Range in North Carolina. Mainly on Currituck Sound in winter. 



FIG. 59. WHISTLING SWAN. 



The Whistling Swan is the largest of our water-fowl; and when swans gather, 

 as they often do in immense flocks, the mass of snowy plumage presents a sight 

 comparable only to a snow-bank or glistening ice-floe. They rise heavily against 

 the wind, but when a safe altitude has been reached, the flock, with set wings, sails 

 along in a manner truly magnificent. 



Swans feed in shallow water, reaching down with their long necks for the water- 

 grasses, small shellfish, and Crustacea, which compose their chief diet. They are 

 common winter residents in Currituck Sound, some few wandering regularly south 

 of Roanoke Island. Small flocks are found in Pamlico Sound, but they are not 

 often seen in the State south of there. Occasionally some straggler wanders inland. 

 Such a one was killed on the Tar River near Louisburg in Franklin County by 



