181 



HOOPEK. 



ELK. WHISTLING SWAN. WILD SWAX. 



Cygnus ferus, .... Eat. 



Cygnus musieus, .... Bechsieix. 



Anas cygmts, .... Lrxx-Ers. 



Anas ferus, ..... Betvick. 



Cygne saurage, .... Temilcsce:. 



Cygnus — A Swan. Ferus — Wild. 



This Swan appears to be the '•'"Wild Swan" par excellence of Great Britain, occurring 

 during the winter months more frequently than an} 7 of the other species. In Ireland, 

 however, on the contrary, another species, named in honour of our illustrious Bewick, 

 seems to take its place in the comparative frequency of its occurrence. 



The Hooper, being only a winter visitor to these islands, spends the breeding-season 

 in the northern parts of Europe; being met with during the summer, in pairs, in Lap- 

 land and Russia. Mr. Low states that in his time it used to breed in Orkney. It is 

 not known to occur out of Europe. 



The flight of all the Wild Swans is much alike; the birds arranging themselves in the 

 wedge-form, as the "Wild Geese mostly do. During their flight, the Hoopers frequently 

 may be heard repeating their loud-sounding 'hoop.' They fly with great rapidity when 

 going "before the wind." 



"When swimming, the Hooper does not elevate the plumes of its wings, as the Tame 

 Swan does, nor does it arch and elegantly curve its neck, as is the custom of the 

 domesticated bird, but carries it straight. 



The Hooper is monogamous. 



Its note resembles the syllable 'hoop' repeated many times; and when heard from a 

 flock at some distance, is by no means an unmusical sound. 



The food consists of a variety of grasses, water-plants, seeds, and roots. 



Those who have had an opportunity of shooting these fine birds, say that they are 



■ difficult to approach, until after having been fired at and disturbed. If struck in 



