CXXIX. 



CYGNUS FERUS. (Ray.) 



Whistling Swan. 



The Swan has been said to breed on some of the outer 

 isles of Orkney. This may once have been the case, but 

 that it has long ago ceased to remain during the breeding 

 season on any of the British Islands, there can be no doubt. 

 It is now at any time a rare visitor. 



Mr. G. C. Atkinson, of Newcastle, who has furnished me 

 with the following particulars, had the good fortune to meet 

 wdth a nest and eggs of this species, during a visit to 

 Iceland. 



It was placed on the centre of a small island, not more 

 than fifteen or twenty yards in diameter, and just rising 

 above the fresh water lake by which it was surromided. 

 This was on the south west of Iceland, where they are 

 seldom seen, although very abundant to the north of the 

 island. 



The nest was made of water-weeds, and raised about 

 six inches above the sward. It was about eighteen inches 

 in diameter, lined with similar materials, and contained three 

 eggs, in the last stage of incubation. 



