﻿WHISTLING SWAN. 61 



on the sea, in our climates, it rarely goes any distance from 

 the shore, as it requires shallow water, where the bottom 

 is well supplied with weeds within the reach of its long 

 neck ; swampy shores and flooded grassy meadows seem 

 to suit its habits to a great degree. In its summer locality 

 it is said also to frequent swamps of all kinds in the most 

 secluded situations. 



The general appearance of the present species is not so 

 graceful as that of our tame swan ; it usually carries its 

 neck almost straight, and may thus very easily be distin- 

 guished from its congener by a sportsman, or person who 

 is acquainted with both species ; on a near approach the 

 yellow beak is so conspicuous as to serve as a good mark 

 of distinction ; the proportions of this bird are also less 

 elegant than those of the mute swan. 



The movements of the present species, when on the 

 ground, are very expert, it walks with ease, and can run 

 very rapidly, which many a sportsman must acknowledge, 

 from the fact that it requires a good pair of legs to overtake 

 a Whistling Swan that has been winged. In the exercise of 

 swimming the Whistling Swan is not much more expert than 

 the common goose, and this may be attributed to its more 

 frequently employing itself in wading among swamps, than in 

 floating on the liquid element. The flight of the Whistling 

 Swan resembles that of our tame swan in most respects, but in 

 consequence of its greater practice, it flies apparently with 

 more ease and with less noise ; yet on taking wing, or 

 alighting, it makes a considerable noise, and may be heard at 

 a great distance. 



Like most birds in a wild state, the present species is shy, 

 yet not remarkably so, as we have frequently seen them 

 walk about on Chertsey Mead, in Surrey, during flood-time, in 

 open day, and almost within gun-shot, without taking notice 



