File:An illustrated manual of British birds (1889) (14561902110).jpg

Identifier: illustratedmanua01saun (find matches)
Title: An illustrated manual of British birds
Year: 1889 (1880s)
Authors: Saunders, Howard, 1835-1907
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: London, Gurney and Jackson
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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ad-coloured billand legs. In the so-called Polish Swan, C. immutabilis of Yarrell, the cygnetsare white, while the adult is said to have a less developed tubercle,with ash-grey legs and feet; but neither Mr. Bartlett nor I couldfind these distinctions in old birds in the Zoological Gardens whichhad been white as cygnets, and were considered typical examplesby Mr. J. H. Gurney. With the exception of a bird obtained inHolland in December 1840, no specimen of the Polish Swan isknown to exist outside the British Islands ; and it is now generally—though not universally-—considered by ornithologists to be a merevariety as regards the colour of the young, while the supposeddistinctions in the adult may depend upon the age of the bird. Aspointed out by Prof. Newton, white cygnets were noticed on theTrent 200 years ago, while in 1885, 1886, and 1887 a pair of Swansat Cambridge produced broods in which some of the young wereabnormally white (Zool. 1887, p. 463 ; 1888, p 470). ANATlD/f,. 407
Text Appearing After Image:
vi:il^„ . -^liJ.JH-^. THE COMMON SHELD-DUCK.Tad()RNA CORNUIA (S. (i. Omelin). This handsome species is rarely seen far from salt water, andsome are to be found on the coast during the whole year, especiallyon flat shores, sand-bars and links. Localities suited to its habitsare to be found along the east of England, and also on the west ofthe island, although the increase of population and commerce hasinterfered with its haunts in Cheshire and Lancashire; while in thesouth a limited number nest in Devon, Somerset and Dorset. Onthe east side of Scotland it is not uncommon, especially in winter,when large flocks cross the sea to escape the cold of Northern Europe ;and, though somewhat local on the west and in the islands, it istolerably numerous during the summer in most of the Hebrides.In Ireland it breeds sparingly among the sand-hills near the sea,especially in cos. Mayo, Waterford and Wexford, becoming moreplentiful in winter. To the Faeroes the Sheld-Duck is only a rare wanderer,

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