ANSERIN2E — THE GEESE. 
433 
domesticated. In New Orleans examples are frequently exposed for sale in the mar- 
kets, having been procured on the ponds in the interior. The waters of the Arkansas 
and its tributaries are well supplied each winter with this species, and the largest 
specimen Mr. Audubon ever saw was shot on a lake near the junction of that river 
with the Mississippi ; it weighed thirty-eight pounds. 
This Swan is said to feed chiefly by partially immersing the body and extending 
the neck under water in the manner of the fresh-water Ducks, with its feet in the air, 
thus preserving its balance. Occasionally it resorts to the land, where it feeds, more 
in the manner of the Duck than in that of the Goose. Its food consists of the roots 
of various plants, leaves, seeds, aquatic insects, land-snails, small reptiles, etc. 
Mr. Audubon once kept a male Swan alive two years. At first extremely shy, it 
soon became accustomed to the servants, and after a time came at the call of its name, 
“ Trumpeter,” and ate bread from the hand. It at last became quite bold, and would 
drive before it the Turkey-Cock, as well as the dogs and servants. 
Mr. MacFarlane saw the Trumpeter Swan breeding on the Barren Grounds, on 
islands in Franklin Bay, and near the Arctic coast. In one instance a nest containing 
six eggs was found near the beach on a rising ground. It was composed of hay, down, 
and feathers intermixed. This was the general character as regards structure and 
situation of the nests of this species. Those in the Barrens were usually placed on 
elevated ground ; others were found near the banks of the Lower Anderson Biver. 
The usual number of eggs was four. 
The Trumpeter was also met with on the head-waters of the Frazer River by Mr. 
Elliot; as also near Fort Yukon, where it was ascertained to breed, and where ex- 
amples of its eggs were procured. Specimens were also taken both by Mr. Kennicott 
and by Mr. Lockhart in the same region; by Mr. L. Clark and Mr. B. R. Ross at Fort 
Rae ; and on Big Island by Mr. J. Reid. 
This was the only Swan observed by Mr. E. Adams on Norton Sound, where it 
appeared by the 30th of May. It was at no time abundant, but associated itself with 
others of the species, so as to form flocks of from two to eight or ten in number. A 
few were said to breed in that locality, but the greater part of them went farther 
north. 
The eggs of the Trumpeter are of a uniform chalky white color, and rough and 
granulated on the surface. They measure from 4.35 inches in length to 4.65, and 
from 2.65 to 2.90 inches in breadth. 
Site-family ANSEBIN2E. — The Geese. 
The chief characters of the Anserince, as distinguished from the Cygnince and Anatinw, consist 
in the more elevated body, with the lengthened legs, fitting the species for a more terrestrial life, 
although equally able to swim. Their necks are very much shorter than in the Swans, and 
usually longer than those of the Ducks. From the lattei’, all the Geese are distinguished by the 
character of the covering of the anterior part of the tarsus, which consists of small hexagonal scales, 
but in the Ducks of narrow transverse scuteflse. Including the genus Dendrocycna, which, notwith- 
standing its close superficial resemblance to the Ducks, seems to belong rather to this sub-family, 
the Anserince of North America may be divided into two groups, as follows : — 
Ansereae. Bill tapering to the tip, not longer than the head (frequently shorter) ; nostrils 
situated near the middle of the maxilla ; only the lower end of the tibia bare. 
Dendrocycnese. Bill depressed and broad at the end, longer than the head, the edges nearly 
parallel ; nostrils situated far posterior to the middle of the maxilla ; lower half of the 
tibia bare. 
vol. i. — 55 
