424 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



Cijfjnus ferns. Leach, Syst. Cat. 1S16, 37. — Steph. Gen. Zool. XII. 10, pi. 37. — Gray, Gen. 



B. III. 610 ; Cat. Brit. B. 1863, 188. — Eeinii. Ibis, 1861, 13 (Greenland). 

 Cijgnus musicus, Beohst. Naturg. Deutsohl. IV. 1809, 830. — Bonap. Comp. List, 1838, 55. — Keys. 



& Blas. AVirb. Eur. 82.— Macgill. Man. II. 158. — CouES, Check List, 2ded. 1882, no. 690. 

 Olor musicus, Wagl. Isis, 1832, 1234. 

 Cygnus olor, Pai.l. Zoogr. Rosso-As. 11. 1826, 211. 

 Cijgnus xmithorhinus, Naum. Viig. Deutschl. XI. 18-42, 478, pi. 296. 

 Whistling or Wild Swan, AucT. 

 The Hooinr, Ell; or Whistling Swan, Yap.k. Brit. B. ed. 2, III. 187, fig. ; ed. 3, III. 191, fig. 



Hab. Palsearctic Region. Aceiileiitul in Greenland (Reinh. '• Ibis," 1861, 13). 



Sp. Char. " Tlie distance from the anterior angle of the eye to the hind border of the nostrils 

 is much longer than the distance from the latter to the tip of the bill ; the yellow color at the 

 base of the bill extending beyond the nostrils, making two thirds of the surface of the bill and 

 lore" (Stejn. tom.cit). 



Adult: Pure white, the head sometimes tinged with rusty; lores and basal portion of bill to 

 beyond the nostril yellow, the terminal portion black ; iris brown ; legs and feet black. Young : 

 Graj'ish brown, the bill fle.sh-color basally, dusky terminally ; legs and feet grayish. Total length 

 about 5 feet ; extent about 7.00-8.00 feet ; wing, 23.00-26.00 inches, culmen (to frontal feather.s) 

 4.00-4.7.') ; tarsus, 4.00 ; middle toe, 5.00-6.00. 



The Wild Swan of the Old World has no other claim to be classed as a North 

 American bird than its supposed presence in Greenland. Dr. Reinhardt states that, 

 according to the accounts received from the Eskimos, it formerly bred on several 

 places near Godthaab, but was long ago totally exterminated by persecutions at the 

 time of its moulting. During the fifteen years preceding the year 1861, according to 

 that author, this bird had again made its appearance in Greenland ; and Holboll states 

 that several individuals were observed at Julianehaab in 1846. Dr. Eeinhardt saw two 

 specimens which had been sent from South Greenland in 1852 ; and in June, 1859, a 

 fine one was shot at Atanink, nearly ten miles north of Godthaab. If undisturbed 

 this may again acquire a claim to be mentioned as one of the birds of Greenland. 



Called in Europe the " Hooper," " Elk," or " Whistling Swan," this species is found 

 throughout Europe, breeding in the more secluded parts of the north, and appearing 

 in the winter in the more southern regions. Its very peculiar note, said to resemble 

 the word hooj}, gives it the name by which it is most generally known. 



This bird is a winter visitant of the more southern portions of the British Islands, 

 where it arrives in flocks about the middle of December, and in greater numbers 

 as the weather becomes more severe. It is found throughout the year in the Orkneys, 

 where a few pairs breed, and where large flocks appear from the north in October, 

 a portion of these remaining all winter. In December these birds are seen flying in 

 compact bodies along the coast-liues, at which time the London markets are sometimes 

 supplied with them to profusion. 



They also visit Holland, France, Spain, and Italy, and a few go as far south as 

 Barbary, or even Egypt ; in severe winters they are found in Corfu and Sicily. 



Linnpeus, in his account of his travels in Lapland, mentions meeting with this Swan 

 on several occasions ; he saw three at the residence of the CJovernor of the province 

 which were as tame as Domestic Geese. This bird is said to ajipear in La]iland with 

 the first breaking-up of the ice, and to be the earliest of the Anatkhe in its northern 

 migrations. It frequents the most secluded swamps and lakes in the wooded districts, 

 and in the northeastern portions of the country is reported to be very numerous. 



According to Bechstein this species is more frequently domesticated than the Mute 

 Swan, and there are several instances on record of its having produced young when 

 in confinement in England. 



