THE SWIMMERS. 



129 



young ones hatched by them up to the present year, 1862 (inclusive), about half that number have 

 been reared. Some of them have died from disease, but most of them have been killed by the old 

 ones dragging them about in the fields, when they have fallen into small holes on their backs, and 

 have not been able to recover themselves. They have bred sixteen times in seven years, having laid 

 in eggs." 



The GEESE {Anseres) constitute a very numerous family, whose members are met with in all 



THE BLACK SWAN (Cygmts or Chcnopsis alratus). ONE-StXTH NATURAL size. 



parts of the world. In these birds the body is compact, the neck short, and the head large ; the legs 

 are situated near the middle of the body. The beak, which nearly equals the head in length, and 

 slopes gradually to its tip, is vaulted above and flat beneath, compressed at its sides, and terminated 

 by a large broad nail ; its margins are more or less denticulated, and its surface covered with a soft 

 skin. The moderate-sized foot has its three anterior toes united by a large web, and armed with 

 stout, strong, flatly-curved claws. In the large, broad, pointed wing the second quill is longer than 

 the rest, and the upper secondaries are less developed than in the Swan ; the wrist-joint exhibits a 

 hard knob, which in some species assumes the form of a powerful spur. The short tail is composed 

 vol. iv.— 135 



