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Show 506 MR. P. L. SCLATER O N T H E [June 15, 2. CYGNUS IMMUTABILIS, Yarr. Polish Swan. Cygnus immutabilis, Yarr. Brit. B. iii. p. 131. Hab. Northern Europe. •• In one of our registers it is said that an example of this species was in the Gardens in 1830, but it is not included in the general list of 1831* . o ,- • / u c n Mr. Yarrell speaks of a pair of this species (or subspecies ot C. olor) as living at Knowsley, where the male paired with a female Mute Swan and produced hybrids, and two were sold at the Knowsley sale in 1851. In 1871 we obtained a living pair of this Swan, which were subsequently deposited with Mr. J. H. Gurney, F.Z.S., for the purpose of breeding. See Mr. Gurney's note on this subject, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 466. Mr. Gurney has kindly furnished me with the subjoined additional particulars :- " I fear I cannot give you much information respecting the breeding of the Polish Swans or the colour of their cygnets beyond what is contained in my note in the P. Z*. S. for 1877, p. 579. " They have reared a brood during each subsequent year; but as I have been from home more or less every spring I have kept no detailed notes about them since 1877- The number they have hatched annually has varied from 4 to 6, so that they are not a very prolific pair as compared with some common Swans. This year they hatched four, of which one was killed by rats. All the cygnets have resembled in colour those described in my former note." 3. CYGNUS MUSICUS, Bechst. Hooper Swan. Cygnus ferus, Gould, B. G. Brit. v. t. 9. Hab. Palaearctic Region. The Hooper bred in the Society's Gardens in 1839 (June 16), 1841 (May 27), and in 1842 (May 20), but has not done so of late years. It cannot be considered by any means a free breeder in confinement. 4. CYGNUS AMERICANUS, Sharpless. American Swan. Cygnus americanus, Baird, B. N.A. p. 758. Hab. North America. I have never heard of this Swan having been brought alive to Europe, nor am I aware that it has been exhibited in any of the American gardens. 5. CYGNUS BUCCINATOR, Rich. Trumpeter Swan. Cygnus buccinator, Baird, B. N. A. p. 578. Hab. Western North America. Our first examples of this Swan were received in 1866 (see P. Z. S. 1866, p. 203). The first pair bred in 1870 (June 6th) (see P. Z. S. 1870, p. 664). Young ones were also bred every subsequent year up to 1876, but our stock is now unfortunately reduced to a single bird. |