Genus B e r n i c l a .
319. B e r n i c l a l e u c o p s i s . . . , , , „
.......................................................................................Vol. V. PI. V.
B e r n ic l e G o ose .
Plentiful in winter, keeping to certain districts on the fiat shores o f Lancashire. Retires northward
beyond our country to breed.
320. B e r n i c l a c a n a d e n s i s .
Canada Goose.
This bird is said to bare occurred wild in England; it being purely American, I have not figured it.
321. B e r n i c l a r u p i c o l l i s
............................................................................................................ V. PI. VI.
R e d -b r e a s t e d G o ose .
An inhabitant o f northern Russia and Siberia, and a chance visitant to Britain.
322. B e r n i c l a b r e n t a .
............................................................................................................ Vol. V. PI. VII.
B r e n t G o ose .
Plentiful in winter on the muddy flats a t the mouths o f rivers from the Thames to the T am ar; equally
numerous in a northerly direction, including Ireland.
Subfamily CYGNINJD.
Of this subfamily there are nine o r ten sp e c ie s -th re e or four o f which pertain to the fauna o f Great
Britain, two or three to that o f North America, the celebrated Black-necked Swan o f Chili, and the Black
Swan o f Australia.
Genus C y g n u s .
323. C y g n u s o l o r
...................................................................................................................... Vol. V. PI. VIII.
M u t e S wan.
Supposed to be still living in a wild state in Eastern E u ro p e ; strictly stationary in Britain.
324. C y g n u s f e r u s
...................................................................................... • • • Vol. V. PI. IX.
W il d S wan o r W h o o pe r .
A winter visitant, arriving in autumn and departing in spring, to breed in Ireland and many parts o f the
arctic circle.
325. C y g n u s m in o r .
.............................................................................................................Vol. V. PI. X.
B ew ick ’s S wan.
This is also a winter visitor, arriving in autumn and retiring northwards in spring.
3 2 6 . C ygnus im m u t a b il is .
Polish Swan.
Ornithologists are a t variance as to the propriety of considering this bird a distinct species from C. olor,
the difference between them being but trifling. The Polish Swan is a somewhat larger bird, with a smaller
frontal knob, while the naked space between the bill and the eye is la rg e r; and the feet are grey instead of
olive-black. Mr. Bartlett has weighed several Polish Swans living a t the Zoological Gardens, which turned
the scale o f twenty-seven pounds; and h e assures me they would be two pounds heavier after moulting. He
considers there are tangible differences between the two b ird s ; and I must confess I do also since I have
been able to make some observations on a line example recently shot, as detailed in the following note sent
to me by Viscount Holmesdale:
“Househill, Nairn, N.B., Sept. 28th, 1872.
D e a r M e . G o u l d ,- I send yon a bird which I believe to be a Polish Swan. First a pair and then three
others came to a wild loeh by the sea here in the northerly gales we have had lately. The keeper took them
■ be common Whoopers; and we went out yesterday and stalked them. Whoopers they certainly are n o t;
but they answer exactly to the description o f the Polish Swan in Yarrcll: ash-grey legs and feet sm a ll;
tubercle a t base of bill and the black o f the nostrils well divided from the base. I f this is so, it may be of
interest to y o n ; and Colonel Baillie hopes yon will accept the bird. If, after all, we are wrong as to tbe
species, it may be of interest from the culinary point o f view.
“ Yours very faithfully,
to
“ H o lm e sd a l e . ”
The very fine specimen above alluded to is now mounted in the British Museum ; and I have a note on its
dissection from Professor Owen, who states - the Swan was a young male, testes very small, flesh tender and
good eating.”
I f the young o f this bird is always white from its downy state upwards, it is a remarkable characteristic,
and one that will tend to confirm the propriety o f considering it a species.
The weight of this individual was 2 4 i lbs.
Across the wings, from tip to tip . ■ ■ •
Total length, from tip o f bill to end of tail .
ft. in.
7 6
4 9