THE BIRD BOOK 



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Whistlin;^ Swan 



[179-] Whooper Swan. Olor cygnus. 



This European variety frequently is found in 

 Greenland and_ formerly, regularly bred there. 

 1 It uests in secluded swampy places in northern 

 Europe. 



180. Whistling Swan. Olor columbianus. 



Range. — North America, breeding in the Arc- 

 tic Circle, and wintering south to the Gulf of 

 Mexico. 



These birds, which are nearly five feet in 

 length, are s^now white with the exception of 

 the black bill and feet. The Whistling Swan 

 is distinguished from the next species by the 

 presence of a small yellow spot on either side 

 of the bill near its base. Their nests are made 

 of a large mass of rubbish, weeds, grass, moss, 

 feathers and occasionally a few sticlcs. It is 

 generally placed in a somewliat marshy place 

 in the neighborhood of some isolated pond. 

 The eggs are -of a greenish or brownish buff 

 color, and number from three to six. Size 4.00 

 X 2.75. Data. — Mackenzie River. Nest a mass 

 of weeds, sods' and grass, lined with feathers; 

 on an island near the mouth of the river. Col- 

 lector, 1. 0. Stringer. 



181. Thumpetek Swan. Olor buccinator. 



Range. — Interior of North America from the Gulf of Mexico northward, breed- 

 ing from nortliern United States nortliward. 



This is a magnificent bird, about five and one-half feet in length. Its plum- 

 age is exactly like that of the preceding except that the bill is entirely black, 

 and the nostral is located nearer the eye. Their nesting habits and eggs are 

 the same as tliosc of the Whistling Swan. While a few pairs may breed within 

 the United States by far the greater number are found in the extreme north, 

 from Hudson Bay to Alaska. The eggs may average a trifle larger than those 

 of the preceding species. 



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