BIRDS FOUND NEAR SHORE OR IN BAYS 57 



Geographical Distribution : Whole of North America. 



Breeding Range: Arctic regions. 



Breeding Season : Juue, July, and possibly May. 



Nest : " The eggs are usually laid on a tussock surrounded with water, 



and so near it that the female sometimes sits with her feet in the 



water." 1 

 Eggs: 3 to 6 ; grayish white, stained with rusty. Size 4.19 X 2.72. 



This beautiful bird is found in the United States only 

 in winter and while migrating in spring and fall. It is 

 rare in California, but a few remain through the winter 

 in the interior of the northern part of the State. The 

 peculiar call note is kept up while the birds are mi- 

 grating ; it resembles the " honk " of wild geese, but is 

 shriller and more metallic in tone. Heard overhead in 

 a small valley shut in by mountains, it has a weird, 

 vibrant quality. 



181. TRUMPETER SWAN. — Olor buccinator. 



Family : The Ducks, Geese, and Swans. 



Length : 5-5 1 feet. 



Adults : Plumage uniform white ; hill and lores jet Hack. 



Young : Grayish brown, browner on head and neck. 



Geographical Distribution : Interior of North America, west to the Pacific 



coast ; rare or casual on the Atlantic. 

 Breeding Range : Interior of the Northern United States northward. 

 Breeding Season : May and June. 



Nest : On high ground; of grasses and moss ; lined with down and feathers. 

 s : 2 to 6 ; white. Size 4.30 X 2.60. 



A not uncommon bird in California during the winter 

 and early spring. It is found somewhat back from 

 the coast in the fresh-water sloughs. According to 

 Mr. Shields, the cry of the Trumpeter Swan resembles 

 the tones of the French horn. Certainly it is a different 

 1 Davie. 



