MUTE SWAN. 



CYGNUS OLOR (J. F. Gmelin). 



Anas olor, J. F. Gmelin, S. N. i. p. 501. 

 Cygnus olor, Naum. xi. p. 442; Dresser, vi. p. 419; Yarr. 

 ed. 4, iv. p. 324. 



Cygne, French ; Cisne, Spanish; Schivan, Dutch ; Zwaan, 

 German. 



Full accounts of the habits and history of the Mute 

 Swan are to be seen in Yarrell's work, and also in 

 Dresser's ' Birds of Europe ' and other works. Though 

 found in a wild state throughout the greater part of 

 Europe, it is reputed to have been introduced into 

 England from Cyprus by Richard I. (1189-1199), and 

 records of it in this country extend back certainly to 

 the thirteenth century. It is now so well known as to 

 require no further comment here. 



The usual colour of the Cygnets in their first down 

 and early feather is greyish brown, but some birds are 

 in these states white tinged with buff. The latter 

 were separated by Yarrell as a distinct species and 

 called Cygnus immutabilis, or Polish Swan. 



[0. S.] 



