BIRDS MET WITH BY THE WILDFOWLER 
MUTE SWAN 
Cygnus olor (J. E. Gmelin) 
The Mute Swan is a more or less domesticated species in 
this country, although it is not improbable that in hard winters 
a few really wild examples visit the British Isles. It is an in- 
habitant of the Palzearctic region. The adults are white. It 
may be distinguished from the Hooper Swan by the black pro- 
tuberance at the base of the upper mandible. The young are 
uniform greyish brown. Length about 60 in. 
HOOPER SWAN 
Cygnus mustcus (Bechstein) 
This swan is a common winter visitor to our islands. The 
adults are white. Immatures are ashy brown above, lighter 
below. Length 60 in. 
BEWICK’S SWAN 
Cygnus bewickz ( Yarrell) 
This species of swan is similar to the Hooper Swan, but 
may be distinguished by its smaller size and the shape of the 
yellow patch on the upper mandible. Length 48 in. It is a 
fairly common autumn and winter visitor to the British Islands. 
LESSER SNOW GOOSE 
Chen hyperboreus (Pallas) 
This is a North American species breeding in Arctic 
regions and wandering south in winter. It is a rare abnormal 
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