502 



PALMIPEDES. 



subject to sudden inundations, tli-e nest of tlie Swan is 

 an immense pile of reeds, grass, and down ; and at the 

 end of tlie season, wlien the hist-mentioned material is 

 blown about by the wind, the floating flakes sometimes 

 resemble a snow-storm. The eggs are six or seven in 

 number ; when hatched, the young birds accompany 

 their })arents, and occasionally the mother will tiike her 

 young brood upon lier back and swim about with them. 

 The whole family remains together throughout the 

 winter. 







SWAN S NEST. 



