104 



NESTS AND EOGS OF 



[179.] WHOOPIlifG SWAW. Olor cj/jwms (Linn.) Geog. Dist.— Europe and 

 Asia; Greenland. 



In Europe this bird Is called "Hopper," "Elk," and "Whistling Swan." It is a 

 winter visitant to the more southern portions of Great Britain, and is found through- 

 ont the year in the Orkneys and other islands north of Scotland. Known to visit 

 Holland, France, Spain and Italy, and a few are said to penetrate as far south as 

 Barbary and even Egypt. Hagerup says that it formerly nested in South Green- 



179. Whoopzng Swan (From Brehm), 



land, but It is now only a rare visitor. Breeds in the secluded swamps and lakes up 

 ill Lapland, nesting on the ground in marshy places. It also breeds In Iceland. The 

 nest is large and composed of rushes, coarse grass, and almost any material near at 

 hand. As many as seven eggs are laid by this species; they are of a dull brownish 

 white, or dark ivory color, and measure 4.28x2.88. 



180. WHISTLING SWAN. Olor columbianus (Ord.) Geog. Dist.— Entire of 

 North America, breeding far north. 



The common American Whistling Swan is the smaller of the North American 

 species, measuring under five feet in length. There is a small yellow spot on the 

 bill in front of the eyes, and it Is sometimes wanting. The tail feathers are norm- 

 ally twenty. This bird is found in the United States in winter, and during the 

 migrations. It is not a common spring and fall migrant in Ohio. The Whistling 

 Swan- breeds In the Arctic regions on the small lakes of the coast and islands of the 

 Arctic Sea, nesting in June and July. A few are said to breed in the interior of the 

 ?ur countries. All along the Yukon River, and especially near its mouth this species 



