THE LARGEST BIRDS THAT FLY 341 



its speed at from twelve to fifteen miles an hour." 

 This bird, however, being incapable of flight, at 

 all events when fully adult (see Newton's Diction- 

 ary of Birds, p. 518), is not comparable with those 

 large pinioned species above mentioned. 



As for the Wild Swan, which might seem to 

 challenge comparison with them, it may be 



THE WILD SWAN OR WHOOPEE. 



remarked en passant that an adult Whooper 

 (Cygnusferus) will measure 4 feet. 10 in. from tip of 

 bill to end of tail (the long neck counting for much),. 

 7 feet in expanse of wing, and will weigh from 18 lb. 

 to 25 lb. Here it will be seen that, notwithstanding 

 the enormous weight, the extent of wing is na 

 greater than in the Golden Eagle, much less than 

 in the Griffon Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, and 

 Lammergeier, and only half that of the Condor. 



