2802 Birds. 



described by Waterton, and it appears to me that if it can do so, it can sit in a nest, 

 instead of sitting in such an unnatural position astride on it. — J. W. Hulke ; Deal, 

 April 4, 1850. 



[I shall feel much obliged for any observations on this subject ; the simple asser- 

 tion alluded to above, as well as figures of the bird in this strange position, are suffi- 

 ciently abundant. — E. NJ]. 



Variety of the Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus). — I send you a drawing 

 of the head of a pink-footed goose, which was shot at Wretham, in Norfolk, last 

 January. The bird was remarkable for a few white feathers round the base of the bill, 

 similar to the principal characteristic of the white-fronted goose, but not extending 

 nearly so far on the forehead and cheeks as in examples of that species : in other re- 

 spects, I believe (for I saw the head only), the bird had nothing peculiar about it. A 

 week or two later, my brother saw a bean-goose which had been killed at Riddles- 

 worth, and which had similar white feathers round the beak ; and early in February, 

 I saw in a poulterer's shop at Cambridge another bird of the last-named species, pos- 

 sessing the like peculiarity. From the above, and the instances mentioned by your 

 correspondent, Mr. Gurney (Zool. 1966 and 2456), it would appear that those species 

 of the British geese besides the Anser albifrons sometimes exhibit more or less of 

 a white forehead ; and it is a question which remains to be answered, whether this re- 

 sults from age, sex, or occasional variety. — Alfred Neivton ; Elveden Hall, Thetford, 

 April 15, 1850. 



Sailing of the Swan. — In treating of the habits of the domestic swan, it appears 

 to me that most writers have fallen into a great mistake, when they speak of its 

 sailing. In nearly every ornithological work which one takes up, one sees the grave 

 assertion that the swan raises its wings, or rather the feathers of its wings, in order to 

 assist it in its progress through the water. Now, the swan never sails, it rows only ; 

 and this is proved by the simple fact of its retaining its wings in the same elevated 

 position, whether it is proceeding with the wind, against the wind, or side-ways to the 

 wind. A circumstance connected with this subject came under my observation a few 

 days since. In this neighbourhood there is a pond of about two acres in extent, 

 situated between two oak woods: on this pond there are three swans, two old birds 

 (male and female), and one last year's cygnet. The old ones, as is usual at this sea- 

 son, display the most rancorous hostility against their unhappy offspring, constantly 

 pursuing him over the water, and obliging him to take refuge on shore. A few days 

 ago the chase was going on with the wind right astern : the breeze freshened, while 

 the young bird with outstretched neck, and lowered wings was fast outstripping his 

 unnatural parents: the old gentleman and lady found it too much for them, and as a 

 sudden gust blew down the pond, abruptly pulled up, and faced the wind, giving up 

 the pursuit ; but no sooner did they perceive the cygnet advancing against the wind, 

 than they again gave chase, and gained on him at every stroke : after dodging about 

 the weather end of the pool, he was at last put to his wit's end, and with an air of utter 

 disgust, waddled ashore. The old ones had their wing-feathers raised the whole 

 time. If they had sailed, they would have gained upon him when with the wind, and 

 lost ground in the opposite direction : but the reverse of this was actually the case. 

 If the cause of the swan's raising his wing-feathers be asked, I should answer, I no 

 more know this than why some birds can raise their crests, and others have a pendu- 

 lous horn upon their heads which they can elevate at pleasure. — Francis H. Amherst ; 

 Si. Mary's, Oscotl, April 16, 1850. 



