88 North American Birds Eggs. 



[179.] Whooping Swan. Olor rygnus. 



This European variety frequently is found in Greenland and formerly, regu- 

 larly bred there. It nests in secluded swampy places in northern Europe. 



180. Whistling Swan. Olor Columbian us. 



Range.— Xorth America, breeding in the Arctic Circle, and wintering south to 

 the Gulf of Mexico. 



These birds, which are nearly five feet in length, are snow white with the ex- 

 ception of the black bill and feet. The Whistling Swan is distinguished from 

 the next species by the presence of a small yellow spot on either side of the bill 

 near its base. Their nests are made of a large mass of rubbish, weeds, grass, 

 moss, feathers and occasionally a few sticks. It is generally placed in a some- 

 what marshy place in the neighborhood of some isolated pond. The eggs are 

 of a greenish or brownish buff color, and number from three to six. Size 4.00 

 X 2.75. Data.— Mackenzie River. Nest a mass of weeds, sods and grass, lined 

 with feathers; on an island near the mouth of the river. Collector, I. O. Stringer. 



fBrowni.sh buff.] 



18 1. Trumpeter Swan. Olor buccinator. 



Range.— Interior of North America from the Gulf of Mexico northward, breed- 

 ing from northern United States northward. 



This is a magnificent bird, about five and one-half feet in length. Its plum- 

 age is exactly like that of the preceding except that the bill is entirely black, 

 and the nostril is located nearer the eye. Their nesting habits and eggs are the 

 same as those of the Whistling Swan. While a few pairs may breed within the 

 United States by far the greater number are found in the extreme north, from 

 Hudson Bay to Alaska. The eggs may average a trifle larger than those of the 

 preceding species. 



