SWANS.—DUCKS. 4ot 
The nest of the Hooper is like that of the Mute Swan, and the eggs are 
pale brownish white. ‘The length of the Hooper is about the same as that 
of the mute species, z.z., five feet. 
HOWEVER emblematical of ornithological fiction a BLACK SWAN might 
have been in ancient times, it is now almost as familiar to English eyes as 
any of the white species. 
This fine bird comes from Australia, where it was first discovered in 1698. 
It is a striking and handsome bird, the blood-red bill and the white primaries 
contrasting beautifully 
with the deep black of 
the plumage. It is not 
so elegant in its move- 
ments as the white Swan, 
and holds its neek stiffly, 
without the easy serpen- 
tine grace to which we 
are so well accustomed in 
our British Swans. 
THERE are very many 
species of DUCKs, of 
which we can take but a 
few examples. 
The well-known WID- 
GEON is very plentiful in 
this country, arriving 
about the end of Sep- 
tember or the beginning 
of October, and assem- 
- bling in large flocks. 
BLACK SWAN.—(Cyenus atratus.) These’ birds, although 
wary on some occasions, 
are little afraid of the proximity of man and his habitations, feeding boldly 
by day, instead of postponing their feeding-time to the night, as is often the 
case with water-fowl. The food of the Widgeon mostly consists of grass, 
which it eats after the fashion of the common goose. ‘The nest of the 
‘a 
(w1pGEOoN.—Marera Pene'ap ) (M4LLARD.—Anas boschas.) 
Widgeon is made of decayed reeds and rushes, and is lined with the soft 
down torn from the parent’s body. The eggs are rather small, and of a 
creamy white colour. The number of eggs s from five to eight. The flesh 
of this bird is very delicate, and it is largely sold in our markets. 
THE common MALLARD, or WILD DUCK, now comes before our notice. 
DD 
