834 
BIRD-LIFE. 
trachea, or windpipe, is singular, descending as it does 
between the branches of the merry-thought to a level 
with the keel of the breast-bone, or sternum. The keel of 
the breast-bone is double, receiving the tube of the 
trachea between its two plates, which, after running 
nearly the whole length of the keel, turns suddenly upon 
itself, passing forwards, upwards, and again backwards, 
till it ends in the vertical bone of divarication, from 
whence the two long bronchial tubes go off to each lobe 
of the lungs. To this arrangement, doubtless, is the 
beautiful note of the Hooper due. 
The Wild Swan is found in certain localities in all 
northern countries in the New, as well as in the Old 
World; at sea, no less often than on inland lakes and 
swamps. It is a regular visitant to the shores of the 
North and Baltic Seas, as well as the Arctic Ocean. It 
migrates to the south of Europe, Asia Minor, Northern 
Africa, and is, therefore, not unfrequently met with in 
Germany, while on its journey southward. Muddy lakes 
and swamps, interspersed with large sheets of water, are 
its home during the breeding season, wdiilst in the winter 
it frequents the low shores of the sea-coast. The Hooper 
rarely remains long on deep water, as there it would be 
unable to obtain its food, which it gleans from the 
bottom, and consists of various aquatic plants, insects, 
worms, and molluscs; possibly also small fish: out of 
shallow water this would be impossible. 
Its habits are similar to those of other members of the 
same family. The Swans are the most noble of all our 
swimming birds, but the art of swimming is. the only one 
in which they excel. A motionless Swan resembles a 
Goose; one in the act of walking waddles heavily like a 
Duck; and when flying it only assumes a graceful 
