no BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



The swan lays her four, five, or six white eggs near the 

 water's edge on a bed or nest made of reeds, sedges, and 

 water flags. At first it is very small, but she keeps on 

 adding to it, and, by the time the young are hatched, it is 

 a huge affair indeed. Incubation lasts between five and 

 six weeks, but she never seems to tire of her task. The 

 young take almost immediately to the water, and, when 

 fatigued, rest upon their mother's back, which is flat, and, 

 when her wings are raised, keeps them comfortably snug 

 and warm. 



The male swan is very courageous in defence of hia 

 young family, for those birds are monogamous, and will 

 attack both man and beast if they venture to approach too 

 near, instances being on record in which he has successfully 

 repulsed a fox ; a blow from his pinion is so powerful that 

 it has been known to break a man's leg. 



Except when attending to their young brood, the swans 

 are very gentle birds, and scarcely ever drive away the 

 ducks and other small swimming birds tliat rusli in to 

 devour the food that is thrown to their larger com- 

 panions. 



At one time the swan was considered to be excellent 

 eating, but it is very seldom utilised for the table now, 

 though, as a full-grown male weighs about thirt3^ pounds, 

 and a young one close on twenty, it is somewhat curious 

 that the sw'an should be thus overlooked by domestic 

 economists ; and, as it is quite as exclusive a vegetable 

 feeder as the goose, its flesh ought to be good ; but perhaps 

 it is thought to be too beautiful for killing. 



Several other swans are reported as occasionally visiting 

 this country, but they can scarcelj' be considered British 

 birds. 



Sheldrake. — Bill orange, with a black tip ; head and 

 upper part of neck blue black, with a metallic gloss ; 



