NATATORES — ANATIDJS — CYGNUS. 
353 
GENUS CYGNUS. Meyer. 
Bill moderate, of nearly equal breadth throughout, subcylindric above, furnished at its base 
with a knob or fleshy tumor, convex above. Upper mandible unguiculated, and curved at 
the tip ; the lower flat. Nostrils medial. Neck very long. Lores naked. Tarsus shorter 
than the middle toe. Tail short, graduated. 
THE AMERICAN SWAN. 
Cygnus americanus. 
PLATE CV. FIG. 235. 
Cygnus form. ShaRPLEss, Cabinet of Natural Nistory, Vol. 1, p. 181, pi. 16. 
C. americanus. Id. Am. Jour. Sc. Vol. 22. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 6, p. 226, pi. 384. 
Characteristics. White: bill and feet black ; top of the head tinged with brownish red. 
An orange patch, more or less distinct, from the anterior angle of the 
eye. Length, 56 "0. 
Description. Bill rather longer than the head. Tibia bare for an inch and a half. Second 
quill longest. Tail short, much rounded, and of twenty broad rounded feathers. 
Color, as in specific phrase. The young light bluish grey; fore and upper parts of the 
head tinged with red; the bill reddish flesh-color. The nak.d space between the eye and 
bill of the adult, feathered in the young. 
Length, 53'0-60 - 0. 
This species was first shown to be specifically distinct from those of Europe by Dr. Sharp¬ 
less. It breeds in high norlhern latitudes, and enters the United States through the interior, 
a few only appearing along the coast. In the uninhabited regions of Hamilton and Herkimer 
counties in this State, this species, as I was informed by trustworthy hunters, remains during 
the whole year, where it must necessarily breed. The outlet of Lake Paskungameh, or 
Tupper’s lake, was specified as a spot to which they were particularly attached. The eggs 
are from five to seven in number, greenish. It is very common on the Chesapeake bay during 
the winter. Abundant also on the Pacific coast of America. 
(EXTRALIMITAL) 
C. buccinator , Richardson. (Add. B. of Am. Vol. 6, p. 219, pi. 382 and 3S3.) White: bill and 
feet black. Tail graduated, of 24 feathers. Head brownish red or white. Young , greyish white, 
tinged with yellow; head reddish brown ; throat and lower eyelid white. Length, SS^O-GS'O. 
Ohio and South-Carolina. Northern regions. Northwest coast of America. 
[Fauna — Part 2.] 45 
