298 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS 



(280) THE BLACK SWAN. 

 (CYGNUS ATEATUS— Lath.) 



The prevailing colour of the plumage black ; quill feathers white ; 

 the tips of the tertiaries curled up. 

 Hab. — Australia. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 Since February 1882. 



(281) THE MUTE SWAN. 



(CYGNUS OLOBr-{Gmel.) ) 



Individuals of both sexes differ in size, but the males are always 

 larger than the females ; the female has no tubercle at the base of the 

 upper mandible, or a very small one ; it has also less black about the 

 bill, and the neck is very slender ; the immature birds of both sexes 

 are greyish brown or grey, and the males have no tubercle : they take 

 about two years to assume their adult white plumage. 



Hab. — Found throughout Europe, extending during the winter 

 to Northern Africa, Egypt, and Asia Minor, and as far east as Western 

 India. 



Length of life in captivity. 



Living since 1880. 



(282) THE BLACK-NECKED SWAN. 



(CYGNUS NIGRIOOLLIS— (Gmel) ) 

 Hab, — Antarctic America. 



(283) THE NUKHTA, OR COMB DUCK. 

 (SAKCIDIORNIS MELANOJSOTA- -(Forst.) ) 



Hindi — Nukhta. 



The size of the fleshy protuberance of the bill is much reduced 

 during the non-breeding season ; the females have no comb. 



Jiab. — Central and Western India, Ceylon, British Burmah; rare 

 in Bengal, although specimens have now and then been received from 

 Rungpore and Sera j gunge. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 Very hardy, and nourish well in captivity here. 



