WILD SWAN. 
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is less than the tame swan, and makes a peculiar 
noise, which may be heard at a great distance, from 
whence it has got the name of the hooper. These 
birds inhabit the northern parts of the world as high 
as Iceland ; they are very common in Siberia, and 
in Kamtschatka, from whence, in the autumn, they 
migrate to our more hospitable shores, and take up 
their abode with us till the return of spring. They 
leave this country about March, and retire to the 
northward to breed. Great numbers of them are 
annually brought forth in Lapland. The cygnets 
are ugly when very young, and only covered with 
a gray or yellowish down like goslings. They are 
much esteemed in some places, and considered a 
delicate dish. 
There is a remarkable difference between the 
anatomical structure of this bird and the tame swan, 
whose wind-pipe sinks down into the lungs in the 
ordinary manner ; whereas the same part in the 
wild swan, after falling into the chest, returns back 
like a trumpet, and then makes a second bend 
to join the lungs, being previously divided into two 
branches, which are much dilated in the middle. 
About August, when the wild swans moult, the 
natives of Iceland prepare to chase them ; for they 
are at that time unable to fly, from the loss of fea- 
thers. This object is carried into effect by a num- 
ber of people who collect together, and resort to the 
places where they most abound. As the swans run 
very fast, it is necessary to be provided with some 
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