THE 
•BLACK SWAN. 
Generic Character. 
V 
Bill broad and flattened ; the edges marked with 
fliarp lamellae. 1 
Tongue broad and ciliated at the edges. 
Specific Character. 
BLACK SWAN with white remiges. 
To vulgar ears a black fvvan has the found of a 
miracle : but this arifes merely from annexing the pro¬ 
verbial name to the common fwan, fo emphatically dif- 
tinguilhed by its conftant fnowy plumage, from which 
it was never known to vary: but no one could ever 
rationally be fuppofed to call in queftion the poffible 
exiftence of fome efiftinct fpecies of this numerous ge¬ 
nus, which, however nearly allied in point of fize and 
habit to the common fvvan, might yet be naturally 
black. In fadt fuch a fpecies is now difcovered. It is 
a native of New Holland, and the neighbouring iflands, 
and is accurately reprefented on the plate annexed. In 
general appearance it bears the moft ftriking refem- 
blance to the common fvvan, and is jemarkable for all 
thofe gracefully-varying attitudes which fo eminently 
P 2 diftinguilh 
