MUTE SWAN. 223 



vegetation on the bank of the pool or stream. It is 

 made of dead reeds, rushes, and dry grass, and Hned with 

 finer but similar materials, together with a little down 

 and a few feathers. Both parents assist in its con- 

 struction, as well as in adding to the structure from time 

 to time during the progress of incubation, the male 

 usually collecting, and the female arranging the materials. 

 The male is also said to sit for a few days in the empty 

 nest to shape and warm the interior, preparing it for 

 the eggs. When not actually sitting the male Swan is 

 generally near the nest, a watchful sentinel, ever ready 

 to do battle in its defence. It should also be remarked 

 that the eggs are invariably covered by the female 

 before she leaves them, the male uncovering them before 

 he takes his share of the task of incubation, and 

 remaining on them until his mate has thoroughly dried 

 her plumage after feeding. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement: 

 The eggs of the Mute Swan vary from three to twelve, 

 according to the age of the female. Young females 

 commence to lay in their second year (sometimes not 

 until their third or fourth), usually producing from three 

 to five eggs ; from seven to nine will be produced the 

 next season, and at four years old, ten or twelve. They 

 are greenish-white, or very pale green, rough in texture, 

 and with little or no polish. Average measurement, 4-5 

 inches in length, by 3 inches in breadth. Incubation, 

 performed by both sexes, lasts from five to six weeks, 

 according to the state of the season. 



Diagnostic characters : The eggs of the Swan 

 may be readily distinguished from those of any other 

 species breeding in our islands by their large size. 



