Genus CYGNUS or SWANS. 



Type CYGNUS MUSICUS. 



Cygnus of Bechstein (1803). — The birds comprising the 

 present genus are characterised by having the lores devoid of 

 feathers, the tarsi reticulated, and shorter than the middle toe. 

 The wings are long, but rather rounded, secondaries long and 

 broad, the first four primaries being of nearly equal length ; the 

 tail is short and rounded. The bill is moderately long, and of 

 equal breadth, higher than wide at the base, depressed at the tip ; 

 nostrils oblong, lateral and central. The neck is long and 

 slender. Three toes in front webbed, hind toe small. 



This genus is composed of seven species, which are confined 

 to the Patearctic and Nearctic regions, and the southern portions 

 of the Australian (S. Australia) and Neotropical regions ; more 

 widely distributed in winter than in summer. Three species are 

 British, but only one is resident, and breeds in our islands in a 

 semi-domesticated state. 



The Swans are dwellers on lakes and inland waters in summer ; 

 more maritime in winter. They are birds of very powerful and 

 sustained flight, and swim and walk with ease. Their notes are 

 loud and trumpet-like. They subsist chiefly on vegetable sub- 

 stances, insects, and mollusks. They make large and bulky nests 

 on the ground, and their eggs are oval, three to eight in number, 

 dull white and unspotted. They are monogamous, and probably 

 pair for life. More or less social and gregarious, especially in 

 winter. Their flesh was formerly held in high repute for the 

 table. 



