358 APPENDIX 



BOOK II 



WILD-FOWL OR SWIMMERS, — THE SWANS, GEESE, BRANT, DUCKS, 

 AND MERGANSERS, Atiatidce. 



19. Whistling Swan. — Cygnus columbianus. 



Plumage white ; feet and bill black. Length about 53 in. Easily 

 distinguished from Trumpeter Swan (No. 20) by smaller size and by 

 yellow spot near the eye. Young birds for first five years are gray, be- 

 coming lighter each year. 



Hab. — North America, Arctic regions to Gulf of Mexico. 



20. Trumpeter Swan. — Cygnus buccinator. 



Plumage white ; feet and bill black. Length about 63 in. Distin- 

 guished from Whistling Swan by size and weight and by absence of 

 yellow spot near the eye. Young birds gray. 



Hab. — Interior North America west to Pacific Coast, Arctic regions 

 to Gulf. Accidental on Atlantic Coast. Breeds in North Dakota and 

 some other Northern States. 



Note. — The young swans are fairly good to eat ; as they grow older they are 

 less desirable. To cook a swan : 



' ' Take three pounds of beef, beat fine in a mortar, 

 Put into the swan,— that is when you've caught her, 

 Some pepper, salt, mace, some nutmeg, an onion 

 Will heighten the flavor in Gourmand's opinion. 

 Then tie it up tight, with a small piece of tape, 

 That the gravy and other things may not escape. 



" To a gravy of beef good and strong I opine 

 You'll be right if you add a half pint of port wine. 

 Pour this through the swan, yes, quite through the belly, 

 Then serve the whole up with some hot currant jelly. " 



— Rev. J. C. Matchett. 



21. Cackling Goose. — Branta canadensis minima. 



Same as No. 23, excepting smaller size. Length about 24 in. 

 Hab. —Alaska to California ; occasional in Mississippi Valley. 



22. Hutchins Goose. — Branta canadensis kutchinsii. 



Same as Canada goose No. 23, only smaller. Length about 30 in. 

 Largest Hutchins goose will rarely equal in size the smallest Canada 

 goose. (Elliot.) 



Hab. — Western North America, Mississippi Valley to Pacific Coast ; 

 rare on Atlantic Coast. 



