424 
LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 
Cygnus ferns , Leach, Syst. Cat. 1816, 37. — Steph. Gen. Zool. XII. 10, pi. 37. — Gray, Gen. 
B. III. 610 ; Cat. Brit. B. 1863, 188. — Reinh. Ibis, 1861, 13 (Greenland). 
Cygnus musicus, Bechst. Naturg. Deutsclil. IV. 1809, 830. - — Bonap. Comp. List, 1838, 55. — Keys. 
& Blas. Wirb. Eur. 82. — Macgill. Man. II. 158. — Coues, Clieck List, 2ded. 1882, no. 690. 
Olor musicus, AVagl. Isis, 1832, 1234. 
Cygnus olor, Pall. Zoogr. Rosso- As. II. 1826, 211. 
Cygnus xanthorhinus, Naum. A r 6g. Deutschl. XI. 1842, 478, pi. 296. 
Whistling or Wild Swan, Auer. 
The Hooper, Elk, or Whistling Swan, Yarr. Brit. B. ed. 2, III. 187, fig. ; ed. 3, III. 191, fig. 
Hab. Palsearctic Region. Accidental in Greenland (Reinh. “ Ibis,” 1861, 13). 
Sp. Char. “ The distance from the anterior angle of the eye to the hind border of the nostrils 
is much longer than the distance from the latter to the tip of the bill ; the yellow color at the 
base of the bill extending beyond the nostrils, making two thirds of the surface of the bill and 
lore” (Stejn. tom. cit). 
Adult : Pure white, the head sometimes tinged with rusty ; lores and basal portion of bill to 
beyond the nostril yellow, the terminal portion black ; iris brown ; legs and feet black. Young : 
Grayish brown, the bill flesh-color basally, dusky terminally ; legs and feet grayish. Total length 
about 5 feet ; extent about 7.00-8.00 feet ; wing, 23.00-26.00 inches, culrnen (to frontal feathers) 
4.00-4.75 ; tarsus, 4.00 ; middle toe, 5.00-6.00. 
The Wild Swan of the Old World has no other claim to be classed as a North 
American bird than its supposed presence in Greenland. Dr. Reinhardt states that, 
according to the accounts received from the Eskimos, it formerly bred on several 
places near Godthaab, but was long ago totally exterminated by persecutions at the 
time of its moulting. During the fifteen years preceding the year 1861, according to 
that author, this bird had again made its appearance in Greenland ; and Holboll states 
that several individuals were observed at Julianehaab in 1846. Dr. Reinhardt saw two 
specimens which had been sent from South Greenland in 1852 ; and in June, 1859, a 
fine one was shot at Atanink, nearly ten miles north of Godthaab. If undisturbed 
this may again acquire a claim to be mentioned as one of the birds of Greenland. 
Called in Europe the “ Hooper,” “Elk,” or “ Whistling Swan,” this species is found 
throughout Europe, breeding in the more secluded parts of the north, and appearing 
in the winter in the more southern regions. Its very peculiar note, said to resemble 
the word hoop, gives it the name by which it is most generally known. 
This bird is a winter visitant of the more southern portions of the British Islands, 
where it arrives in flocks about the middle of December, and in greater numbers 
as the weather becomes more severe. It is found throughout the year in the Orkneys, 
where a few pairs breed, and where large flocks appear from the north in October, 
a portion of these remaining all winter. In December these birds are seen flying in 
compact bodies along the coast-lines, at which time the London markets are sometimes 
supplied with them to profusion. 
They also visit Holland, France, Spain, and Italy, and a few go as far south as 
Barbary, or even Egypt ; in severe winters they are found in Corfu and Sicily. 
Linmeus, in his account of his travels in Lapland, mentions meeting with this Swan 
on several occasions ; he saw three at the residence of the Governor of the province 
which were as tame as Domestic Geese. This bird is said to appear in. Lapland with 
the first breaking-up of the ice, and to be the earliest of the Anatidce in its northern 
migrations. It frequents the most secluded swamps and lakes in the wooded districts, 
and in the northeastern portions of the country is reported to be very numerous. 
According to Bechstein this species is more frequently domesticated than the Mute 
Swan, and there are several instances on record of its having produced young when 
in confinement in England. 
