426 
LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — AN SERES. 
“The principal anatomical character of this species is the disposition of the trachea in the 
sternum, it making but one horizontal turn upon itself at the point farthest from its entrance in 
the front of the enlarged carina. We have not had the opportunity of examining full skeletons or 
perfect skulls of the other North American species of Swan (O. buccinator), but it probably agrees 
with this in the particulars differing from the other Anserince. The general form of the skull is 
much more slender ; its height is less in proportion to its length ; the occipital condyle is deeper 
and more rounded ; the descending process of the lachrymal shows a widely expanded quadrate 
external surface, which is wanting in the Geese. The development of the frontal sinuses, and 
the obliteration of the retreating angle between the anterior portions of the frontal bones, which 
is sometimes to be observed, appear to be merely evidences of full maturity.” (H. M. Bannis- 
ter, MS.) 
The smaller of the North American Swans, known among authors as the “Ameri- 
can Swan,” is found throughout the more northern portions of the continent from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is not, however, abundant on either coast near the 
sea. In the summer it frequents the high interior, and breeds on islands in inland 
lakes and along the shores of the Arctic Ocean. It is very rare in New England, 
though probably some of this species do pass over this region each year in their 
autumnal migrations ; in fact, specimens are occasionally secured. One was taken 
at Nahant, and is now in the museum of the Boston Society of Natural History. I 
am not aware, however, that any have been observed in New England in the spring. 
Mr. Giraud includes this bird among the winter visitants of Long Island, and it is 
the only Swan known to occur in that neighborhood. 
On the Pacific coast large flocks of these Swans were seen by Dr. Cooper on the 
Columbia River, in the Cascade Canon, in 1860, as early as October 29, and their 
migrations southward appeared to be generally quite early. Dr. Cooper had pre- 
viously — in 1853 — seen them in the lakes of the Columbia Plain, about the same 
time. He also states that this bird appears to be less common in California than 
the buccinator. During the entire winter it is abundant on the Columbia River and 
the fresli-water lakes toward the north, so long as these are not frozen. At such 
times it occasionally — but very rarely — appears on salt water. These birds arrive 
on the Columbia in October, flying in long Y-shaped lines, and uttering loud whoop- 
ing cries. They feed almost altogether on vegetable food, such as the roots of the 
Sagittaria, and on grasses and various water-plants. In searching for these, as well 
as for snails, their long necks become quite useful in deep water. 
Hearne, in his “Arctic Voyage” (p. 435), writing nearly a century ago. states that 
