WILD FOWL. 
47 
“ I have never observed any Swans of this species along the 
Atlantic coasts, or on the rivers that open upon it, beyond Cape 
Hatter as in North Carolina; and although they are very nu¬ 
merous on the waters of Chesapeake Bay, and the streams 
adjacent, as well as in other parts of the middle districts, I am 
yet of the 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 latitudes, divide into par¬ 
ties, of which the less numerous bands make their way from 
certain points as yet unknown, toward our middle districts, while 
the rest are perhaps following the valleys of the Rocky Moun¬ 
tains. 
“ 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 the Trumpeter Swan, this difference proba¬ 
bly 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 leading the long single files behind them in a kind of 
disorderly crowded manner, 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, while in the middle districts, I here pre¬ 
sent 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 and about Hudson’s Bay, (60 degs.,) where they re¬ 
main, preparing for a departure for the winter, until October, 
when they collect in flocks of twenty or thirty, and seizing favo- 
able weather, they mount high in the air, form a prolonged 
wedge, and with loud screams depart for more genial climes. 
