136 



ANSERIFORMES 



and black beak, except in C. olor, where it iS plumbeous. In 

 habits Swans are much alike, though the notes differ somewhat, 

 and the Mute Swan merely hisses or croaks in captivity; the 

 latter and the Black Swan are noted for the graceful curve of 

 the neck and their greenish eggs ; while the wing-feathers and 

 scapulars are habitually puffed out when on the water. Swans 

 were " Eoyal Birds " in mediaeval England, and a licence was 

 necessary to keep them, but for this subject and that of the " Swan- 

 marks " on the bill, as well as for accounts of decoys, hybrids, and 



Fig. 36. Bewick's Swan. Gygnus lewickl. x Jj,. 



domestic races in the Family, the reader must be referred to the 

 works of Professor JSTewton,^ Count Salvadori,'' and other authors. 

 Fossil remains of this group are found throughout the Miocene 

 of France, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy, referred to Anser and 

 Anas, with Chenornis graculo'ides ; the Pliocene of Oregon has 

 furnished Branta, Gygnus, and Anser, that of Italy Anas and 

 Fidigula ; the Plistocene of Malta Gygnus and Palaeocycnus, that 

 of Brazil Ghenalopex. The superficial deposits of New Zealand, con- 

 tain Gnemiornis, mentioned above, as well as Ghenopis and Biziura ; 

 the Queensland drifts the last-named, and, it is said, Anas, 

 Dendrocycna, and Nyroca ; the Mare aux Songes of Mauritius 

 Alias and Sarcidiornis. Gentrornis majori is a remarkable form 



^ Cf. Diet. Birds, artt. Duck, Goose, Swan, and the references there given. 

 - Oat. Birds Brit. Miis. xxvii. 1895. 



