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AMERICAN SWAN. 



V-Cygnus Americanus, Sharpless. 

 PLATE CCCLXXXIV.— Male. 



I have never observed any Swans of this species along the Atlantic coast, 

 or on the rivers that open upon it, beyond Cape Hatteras in North Carolina; 

 and although they are very numerous on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay 

 and the streams adjacent, as well as in other parts of the Middle Districts, I 

 am yet of opinion that the great body of them spend the winter about the 

 Columbia river, extending their autumnal migrations westward, along the 

 shores of the Pacific Ocean, into California, and that the columns formed by 

 these birds when about to leave their breeding grounds in high latitudes, 

 divide into parties, of which the less numerous bands make their way from 

 certain points as yet unknown, towards our Middle Districts, while the rest 

 are perhaps following the valleys of the Rocky Mountains. 



When travelling to a distance they proceed at a great height, with a steady 

 and well-sustained flight, though by no means so rapid as that of the 

 Trumpeter Swan, this difference probably arising from the greater weight 

 and alar extent of the latter. They usually move in long lines forming the 

 acute angle of a baseless triangle, the leader often changing his position and 

 falling into the rear. On several occasions I have seen seven or eight leading 

 the long single files behind them in a kind of disorderly crowded manner, 

 which was continued until the birds were out of sight. 



Not having had sufficient opportunities of studying the habits of these 

 birds on the waters of the Chesapeake, where they are most numerous whilst 

 in the Middle Districts, I here present you with an account of them kindly 

 transmitted to me by Dr. Sharpless of Philadelphia: — 



"About the first of September, the Swans leave the shores of the Polar 

 Sea, according to Franklin, and resort to the lakes and rivers in about the 

 latitude of Hudson's Bay (60°), where they remain preparing for a depar- 

 ture for the winter until October, when they collect in flocks of twenty or 

 thirty, and seizing favourable weather, with the wind not opposed to the 

 direction of their flight, they mount high in the air, form a prolonged wedge, 

 and with loud screams depart for more genial climes. When making either 

 their semi-annual migration, or on shorter expeditions, an occasional scream 



