304 THE GAME BIEDS AND WILD FOWL 



Genus CYQNUS, 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 metatarsi 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 tertials 

 and scapulars normally smooth ; the tail is short and rounded. The predominant 

 colour of the plumage is white. 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 six species, which are confined to the Palsearctic, 

 Nearctic, and Neotropical regions ; more widely distributed in winter than in 

 summer. Three species are British, but one only is resident, and breeds in our 

 Islands in a semi-domesticated state. 



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

 time 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 substances, insects, and mollusks. They make large and 

 bulky nests on the ground, and their eggs are oval, three to twelve 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. 



