WATER BIRDS. 



The Mute, or Tame Swan. 



The Canada, or Wild Goose. 



The Mute, or Tame Swan is one of the most elegant of birds, and, on the water, one of the most grace- 

 ful in movement, though on land, like the goose it can only waddle. The female lays six or eight large, 

 white eggs in a great nest of dry reeds, placed among reeds near the water. This Swan has long been 

 domesticated and is a very attractive ornament to a sheet or stream of water. 



The Canada, or Wild Goose is from three to three and a half feet long and nineteen inches across the 

 wings. It is probably as familiarly known thoughout the United States as any of the migratory feathered 

 tribe. Their passage from their southern winter home, to their summer breeding grounds around Hud 

 son's Lay is anxiously looked for by the aborigines of those desolate regions, who depend on their flesh for 

 food in summer. This passage, commencing about the middle of April, continues till the same time in 

 May. Their return south begins sometime in September, and early in October they begin to make their 

 appearance on the coasts of the eastern and middle states. Grass, berries, sedges, and marine plants con- 

 stitute their food. 



The Hooded Merganser is said to frequent chiefly fresh water in Virginia and Carolina and is distin- 

 guished by a fine black crest on his head. He is an excellent diver. 



The Cinereous Coot is found in almost every part of America, from the grassy lakes in the fifty-fifth 

 parallel to the reedy lagoons of Florida and the marshes of Jamaica. Unlike most other aquatics, these 

 do not go north in spring to breed, but indifferently dwell and breed in all parts of our continent. 



"•wSSfe: - e> 



Cuiereou* Coot. 



Hooded Merganser. 



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