185 
it possible, " that a wounded bird of this 
species, incapable of migrating to the arctic 
regions to breed, might have induced its 
mate to remain also." Such an accident 
only (he considers) would prevent its vernal 
migration. 
Temminck says that it makes its nest 
upon land, in the midst of plants growing 
near the water ; and lays from five to se- 
ven eggs, of an olive green, covered with 
a whitish coat. This description of the 
egg, differs so materially from that given 
by Montagu, that it is impossible to recon- 
cile the two accounts : the latter gentleman 
informs us that " a female Whistling 
Swan shot near Bridgewater, in the year 
1805, got the better of her wound, and 
was kept by Mr. Stone, with his geese for 
nearly two years, during which time she 
laid one egg."& U The egg (he says) is very 
small in proportion to the bird, being not 
near so large as that of a China Goose, and 
is regularly oval ; about three inches long, 
and of a ferruginous colour, with some white 
* The egg and bird were afterwards presented to G. 
Montagu, Esq. 
3 h 
