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AMERICAN SWAN 
Cygnus Americanus, Sharpless. 
PLATE CCCLXXXIY.— Male. 
I have never observed any Swans of this species along the Atlantic coast, 
or on the rivers that open upon it, beyond Cape Hatteras in North Carolina; 
and although they are very numerous on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay 
and the streams adjacent, as well as in other parts of the Middle Districts, I 
am yet of opinion that the great body of them spend the winter about the 
Columbia river, extending their autumnal migrations westward, along the 
shores of the Pacific Ocean, into California, and that the columns formed 
by these birds when about to leave their breeding grounds in high lati- 
tudes, divide into parties, of which the less numerous bands make their way 
from certain points as yet unknown, towards our Middle Districts, while 
the rest are perhaps following the valleys of the Rocky Mountains. 
When travelling to a distance they proceed at a great height, with a steady 
and well-sustained flight, though by no means so rapid as that of the 
Trumpeter Swan, this difference probably arising from the greater weight 
and alar extent of the latter. They usually move in long lines forming the 
acute angle of a baseless triangle, the leader often changing his position and 
falling into the rear. On several occasions I have seen seven or eight lead- 
ing the long single files behind them in a kind of disorderly crowded man- 
ner, •which was continued until the birds were out of sight. 
Not having had sufficient opportunities of studying the habits of these 
birds on the waters of the Chesapeake, where they are most numerous 
whilst in the Middle Districts, I here present you with an account of them 
kindly transmitted to me by Dr. Sharpless of Philadelphia : — 
“ About the first of September, the Swans leave the shores of the Polar 
Sea, according to Franklin, and resort to the lakes and rivers in about the 
latitude of Hudson’s Bay (60°), where they remain preparing for a depar- 
ture for the winter until October, when they collect in flocks of twenty or 
thirty, and seizing favourable weather, with the wind not opposed to the 
direction of their flight, they mount high in the air, form a prolonged wedge, 
and with loud screams depart for more genial climes. When making either 
their semi-annual migration, or on shorter expeditions, an occasional scream 
