426 



LAMBLLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



"The principal anatomical character of this species is the disposition of the trachea in the 

 sternum, it making but one horizontal turn upon itself at the point farthest from its entrance in 

 the front of the enlarged carina. We have not had the opportunity of examining full skeletons or 

 perfect skulls of the other North American species of Swan (O. buccinator), but it probably agrees 

 with this in the particulars differing from the other Anscrince. The general form of the skull is 



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nuu/h more slender ; its height is less in proportion to its length ; the occiiiital condyle is deeper 

 and more rounded ; the descending process of the lachrymal shows a widely expanded quadrate 

 external surface, w'hich is wanting in the Geese. The development of the frontal sinuses, and 

 the obliteration of the retreating angle between the anterior portions of the frontal bones, which 

 is sometimes to be observed, appear to be merely evidences of full maturity." (H, M. Bannis- 

 ter, MS.) 



The smaller of tlie Kortli American Swans, known among autliors as the " Ameri- 

 can Swan," is fonnd tlirougliout the more northern i)orti(>ns of the continent from 

 the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is not, however, abundant on either coast near the 

 sea. In the summer it frequents the high interior, and breeds on islands in inland 

 lakes and along the .shores of the Arctic Ocean. It is very rare in New England, 

 though jn-obably some of this species do pass over this region each year in their 

 autumnal migrations ; in fact, specimens are oceasioually secured. One was taken 

 at Nahant, and is now in the museum of the Boston Society of Natural History. I 

 am not aware, however, that any have been observed in New England in the spring. 

 Mr. Giraud includes this bird among the winter visitants of Long Island, and it is 

 the only Swan known to occur in that neighborhood. 



On the Pacific coast large flocks of these Swans were seen by Dr. Cooper on the 

 Columbia Elver, in the Cascade Cafion, in 18G0, as early as October 29, and their 

 migrations southward appeared to be generally quite early. Dr. Cooper had pre- 

 viously — in 1853 — seen them in the lakes of the Columbia I^lain, about the same 

 time. He also states that this bird appears to be less common in California than 

 the buccinator. During the entire winter it is abundant on the Columbia liiver and 

 the fresh-water lakes toward the north, so long as these are not frozen. At such 

 times it occasionally — but very rarely — appears on salt water. These birds arrive 

 on the Columbia in October, flying in long V-shaped lines, and uttering loud whoop- 

 ing cries. They feed almost altogether on vegetable food, such as the roots of the 

 Sagittaria, and on grasses and various water-])lants. In searching for these, as well 

 as for snails, their long necks become quite useful in deep water. 



Hearne, in his " Arctic Voyage " (p. 435), writing nearly a century ago. states that 



