136 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



Sanborombon ; probably they have before now been 

 driven from this locality by the duck-shooters, but 

 it was formerly their favourite rendezvous, where 

 they collected in large numbers, though further 

 north scarcely one was ever seen. 



Dumford tells us that this Goose is resident on 

 Lake Colguape in the territory of Chupat, and breeds 

 there abtmdantly. 



BLACK-NECKED SWAN 



Cygnm nigricoUis 



White; head and neck black; postocular stripe and chin white; 

 lores naked ; bill plumbeous, cere red. Length 48, wing 17 inches. 

 Female similar. 



To my perhaps partial mind this species is pre- 

 eminent for beauty among the Swans, although it 

 is considerably smaller than the bird of the Old 

 World, and does not, it must be admitted, comport 

 itself so majestically. In questions of this kind it 

 is natural for every one to be somewhat biassed in 

 favour of the things of his own country ; but it will 

 be readily admitted by all, I think, that the black- 

 necked bird is one of three species greatly surpassing 

 all others of this genus in beauty — ^the other two 

 being, of course, the domesticated Swan of Europe 

 and the Australian Black Swan (the most graceful 

 of Swans). 

 This Swan is very abundant on the pampas of 



