421 



the Whooper Swan. According to Von Homeyer (J. f. O. 1872, p. 307), about eight pairs used 

 formerly to breed on the Putzar lake, near Andam, and when the cold season commenced the 

 young were caught and kept in confinement ; but, though protected, they have become fewer in 

 number of late years. 



According to Collin it is not only kept in a state of semidomestication in many parts of 

 Denmark, but it breeds, or used not long ago to breed, in several localities, as, for instance, on the 

 Lyngby, Gjentofte, and Damhus lakes at Strandmollen. In Faber's time it nested on the Noroxe 

 lake, north of the Limfjord ; Boie says that numbers bred on the Kloster lake ; and Mr. Collin 

 himself found a nest containing five eggs on the Fure lake. Out of the breeding-season it is 

 found on the coasts, but in smaller numbers than the Whooper. 



In Holland, Belgium, and France it is not only kept in a state of semidomestication, but 

 wild birds are said to occur on passage, apparently more frequently in the south of France 

 than elsewhere. Colonel Irby does not include it as found on the Spanish side of the Straits 

 of Gibraltar, though Mr. Saunders says (Ibis, 1871, p. 396) that he saw a specimen in the 

 Valencia Museum. In Italy, though much rarer than Cygnus musicus, it has from time to time 

 been obtained in most of the northern and central provinces ; and it is recorded by Cara as a 

 visitant to Sardinia and Sicily, where in 1845 large numbers frequented the lakes near Lentini. 

 It has also been obtained at Malta; for Mr. C. A. "Wright states (Ibis, 1869, p. 250) that he 

 obtained the head of one killed at Salini on the 21st December 1868. In Southern Germany 

 the Mute Swan is, comparatively speaking, rarely met with in a wild state, but is very frequently 

 kept tame on ornamental water. Dr. Anton Fritsch records only two instances of wild birds 

 having been obtained in Bohemia, viz. one killed in the autumn near Benatek, and one shot in 

 March 1872 near Kourim. On the Danube, however, it is by no means uncommon, being 

 much more numerous on the Lower than on the Upper Danube. Messrs. Danford and Harvie- 

 Brown say (Ibis, 1875, p. 426) that small flocks are occasionally met with on the lakes and 

 rivers of Transylvania, especially on the Alt and Maros. It has also been obtained on the Strell, 

 at Euss, by Herr Buda Elek. I observed it on several occasions on the Lower Danube. Messrs. 

 Sintenis state that it is resident and common in the Dobrudscha, being especially abundant 

 in the winter; and Messrs. Elwes and Buckley write (Ibis, 1870, p. 338): — "The Mute Swan 

 is found in a wild state in some parts of Turkey in summer and winter. The Gulf of Salonica 

 was full of Swans when we arrived there ; and the Governor, who is a great sportsman, invited us 

 to join a battue, which was attended by several boats from the town. The procession was headed 

 by three large men-of-war's boats, containing the chief dignitaries, with their rifles ; and etiquette 

 was carried to such an extent that, instead of advancing in line, they kept in the order of their 

 precedence. The Swans, which might easily have been surrounded, naturally took advantage of 

 this ; and a great expenditure of ammunition at long ranges only resulted in the capture of two 

 Swans, though there must have been a thousand in the flock. Whoopers, as well as Mute 

 Swans, were among them ; but we did not identify Bewick's Swan. Swans which we believe to 

 be of this species {Cygnus olor) were breeding on the Upper Devna lake, near Varna; and a 

 Wallachian shepherd brought us a nest of eight eggs, which he had taken on a lagoon near 

 Rassova." It is also said by Dr. Kriiper to be resident in Greece, where it nests on the Kopais 

 and other lakes, but appears to be more numerous in winter than in summer. In the Black 



6d 



