THE 



BLACK SWAN, 



Generjc Character, 



Bill broad and flattened ; the edges marked with 



fharp lamellae. 

 Tongue broad and ciliated at the edges. 



Specific Character, 

 BLACK SWAN with white remiges. 



To vulgar ears a black fwan has the found of a 

 miracle : but this arifes merely from annexing the pro- 

 verbial name to the common fwan, fo emphatically dif- 

 tinguhhed by its conftant fnowy plumage, from which 

 it was never known to vary : but no one could ever 

 rationally be fuppofed to call in queftion the poffible 

 exiftence of fome diftind fpecies of this numerous ge- 

 nus, which, however nearly allied in point of fize and 

 habit to the common fwan, might yet be naturally 

 black. In fact fuch a fpecies is now difcovered. It is 

 a native of New Holland, and the neighbouring illands, 

 and is accurately reprefented on the plate annexed. In 

 general appearance it bears the mod (hiking refem- 

 blance to the common fwan, and is remarkable for all 

 thofe gracefully-varying attitudes which fo eminently 

 P a diftinguifa 



