WATER-FOWL 143 



able, the young will be reared by the parents with little 

 difficulty. The ration may be eked out with bread crusts 

 and game food. 



The sooty cygnets are of a similar color when feathers 

 are assumed, but the young of the Polish form are white in 

 the first plumage, as in the down. They are ready for 

 breeding when two years old. 



America has two fine native species of swans, the 

 Whistling (O. columbianus) and the Trumpeter (B. 

 buccinator). Both are distinguished from all other white 

 swans by their black beaks, and from each other chiefly by 

 the larger size of the Trumpeter and a yellow spot at the 

 base of the beak of the Whistler. The Trumpeter, unfortu- 

 nately, now is nearly extinct, and probably is so far reduced 

 that it cannot be resuscitated by propagation in confinement. 

 Both species have been bred in captivity. 



The Bewick Swan (O. bewicki) and the Whooping 

 Swan (O. cygnus) are European species. They are very 

 similar in appearance, the latter being distinguished by its 

 considerably larger size and the greater extent of the yellow 

 at the base of the bill, which runs down past the nostrils in 

 this species, but stops short of them in the Bewick. Both 

 species are occasionally offered for sale. They are hardy 

 and desirable, but are difficult to breed. 



The Black-necked Swan (O. melanocorphus) , of south- 

 ern South America, is the only species which appears to be 

 delicate in captivity. In Europe it presents no particular 

 difficulties and breeds readily and frequently. In America, 

 however, it is very difficult to establish. Once acclima- 

 tized, it is as resistant as any other, and lives well enough. 

 An abundance of green food is absolutely essential for 

 keeping this species in health. With its snowy body, black 

 neck and red beak, it is the handsomest of the swans, and it is 

 regrettable that it is not more easily kept. 



