﻿62 ANATID.E. 



of our approach ; and while flying over the surface of the 

 water, following the course of the river, they have frequently 

 been shot by persons who are constantly on the look-out for 

 wild-fowl. On one occasion last winter (1847), while in 

 pursuit of some wild ducks, it being a dark night, six or 

 seven of these birds allowed us to come quite close to them, 

 while they were feeding in a pool of water in the mead, but 

 owing to the ground being partly covered with snow, we did 

 not see them in time to fire. We have also seen them 

 occasionally on the wing by daylight, flying low enough to 

 shoot with a common gun. These facts prove to us that the 

 bird is not too shy to be approached within gunshot, under 

 most circumstances. 



Why this species is called the Whistling Swan is not 

 exactly apparent to us, as we have never heard it whistle. 

 The appellation of Hooper is nearer to the sound produced 

 by its call-note, and the noise of its pinions. Another of its 

 notes resembles the word killclee uttered in a high pitch, 

 also hang, hang, more mildly expressed. The sound produced 

 by its pinions while flying, resembles the words grou, grou ! 

 It may be supposed that the combined noises proceeding from 

 a flock of these birds may produce a perfect concert, in con- 

 sequence of the different modulations of tone in age and sex. 



The present species, when obtained at an early age, be- 

 comes soon tame, and may be kept for a length of time in 

 confinement, or half domestication ; in fact, greater numbers 

 of the Whistling Swan are kept on ornamental pieces of 

 water in Russia than of the mute swan ; they are by far 

 more good-tempered and more attached to their keepers. 



The food of this bird consists of green vegetable matter, 

 grain, and fruits ; also insects and their larvse, and worms of 

 most kinds, as well as small frogs, and the small fry of 

 fishes. 



