62 
AN AUSTRALIAN BIRD BOOK. 
ORDER XIII. — ^ANSERIFORMES. 
F. 58. ANATIDAE (21), SWANS, GEESE, 206 sp.— 39 (30) A., 
50(9)0., 68(10)P., 41(21)E., 56(ll)Nc., 70(39)N1. 
1 126 Black Swan, Chenopsis atrata, A., T. 
1 Stat. c. lakes 40 
Black; white on wing; very long neck; f., slm. Plants. 
Swans, Geese, and Ducks, the Swimming Birds grouped in 
Order XIII., are all classified in one family, though there are 
many sub-families. 
At the head of the Australian birds is the Black Swan — that 
rai-a avis which, possibly, has done more to advertize Australia 
than any other Australian animal or plant. A *'black" swan 
was an "impossibility," so this bird was one of the strongest 
factors in establishing Australia's reputation as a land of para- 
doxes and contradictions. 
The Black Swan is well known outside Australia, as it is com- 
mon in every park and garden in Europe. Gould feared that it 
would be exterminated here, but fortunately Australians are now 
learning to appreciate their own land, and there is no danger of 
such a calamity. 
Eight species of Swans are known to occur all over the world 
with the exception of New Zealand and Africa. 
In the next sub-family there is but one bird — the Semipalmated 
Goose of Australia. This bird, better known as the Magpie Goose, 
has its feet but half-webbed, hence its specific name, semipalmata. 
