38 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
WHOOPER OR WHISTLING SWAN. 
(Cygnus musicus. Cygnus ferus). 
This Swan is the largest of the species found wild in 
Europe, the adult male often weighing from twenty to twenty- 
five pounds. It is occasionally shot during severe winters in 
England, and is distinguished from other varieties by its loud 
whistling cry. Upon the water it resembles a Goose, from the 
upright way in which the neck is held, and is altogether less 
graceful in its movements than our tame bird. It breeds, 
according to Seebohm, in Siberia, frequenting the same 
countries as the Mute Swan, and, like the latter, migrates 
in flocks towards the approach of winter. Its breeding-season 
commences about the middle of April, the domestic arrange- 
ments being similarly conducted to those described under the 
head of the Mute Swan. The Zoological Society possesses 
Whoopers, which bred from 1839 to 1842, but have not done so 
of late years, Dr. Sclater stating that they cannot by any means 
be considered free breeders in confinement. 
A few pairs come annually into the English market, 
realising from £4 to £5 a couple. 
Male.— Plumage pure white ; base of the bill, from eye 
to nostril, bright clear yellow; remainder of upper and under 
mandible black ; legs and feet dull black ; iris hazel. No knob 
on bill. 
Female.—Similar, but somewhat smaller. 
Young.—Upper parts greyish-brown ; under surface 
dirty white ; bill and legs yellowish-pink. 
Egg.—‘‘ Creamy white with a slight gloss” (Seebohm) ; 
five to seven innumber. March—May. Incubation, forty-two 
days. 
