BLACK SWAN, 
OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 
Though every schoolboy, on entering 
into the Syntax of Lilly's Latin Grammar, 
becomes acquainted with the popular phrase — 
*' Rara avis in terris, liigroque simillima 
Cygno," this uncommon bird has, till within 
these few years, been wholly unknown ; at 
least, to all modern naturalists. 
We have received from an intelligent friend, 
who was probably one of the party alluded to, 
the following acount of it's first discovery. 
** Tn an excursion made by some gentlemen 
to tiie northward of Port Jackson, in the 
year r788, this flatcly bird was firfl: seen, 
swimming erect, and undismayed at their ap- 
proach, in a small creek that led to ^»ome wa- 
ters which are found between Port Jackson 
"and Broken Bay. It's appearance was so 
grand and novel, that the temporary surprise 
which succeeded, allowed it tioie to get on th^ 
wing, 
