MUTE SWAN. 155 



Genus— CYGNUS. 

 CYGNUS OLOR— Mute Swan. 



The swan with arched neck 

 Between her white wings mantling, proudly rows 

 Her state with oary feet. 



Milton. 



See how yon Swans with snowy pride elate, 

 Arch their high necks, and sail along in state. 



Broo^i— Pastoral. 



Graceful and smooth and still. 

 As the male Swan, that floats adown the stream, 

 Or on the waters of the unruffled lake 

 Anchors her placid beauty. 



Wo RDs WORTH — Excursiou. 



The Swan is a native of the eastern parts of Europe and Asia, 

 and the southern parts of Russia and Siberia, It is said to have 

 been introduced into England by Richard I., who brought it from 

 Cyprus. It is now a thoroughly naturalised British bird, and every 

 piece of ornamental water demands its graceful presence. It is 

 the largest of our birds, and the most elegant and pleasing to the 

 eye. " Wliat in nature," exclaims Bewick, " can be more beautiful 

 than the grassy-margined lake, hung round with the varied foliage 

 of the grove, when contrasted with the pure resplendent whiteness 

 of the majestic Swan, wafted along with erected plumes by the 

 gentle breeze, or floating, reflected on the glassy surface of the 

 water, while he throws himself into numberless graceful attitudes, 

 as if desirous of attracting the admiration of the spectator." 



The Swan on still Saint Mary's Lake 

 Floats double, Swan and shadow ! 



The Mute Swan is known by its reddish orange beak, with a 

 black base, and a knob called the berry, immediately below the 

 forehead ; its pure white plumage, and its black legs and feet form 

 a noticeable contrast. 



All the water in the ocean 

 Can never turn a Swan's black legs to white. 



Shakespeare. Tit. And., IV., 2. 



The male bird in swan language is called " a cob," and the female 

 '' a pen." The cygnets when young are of a dark bluish grey colour, 

 lighter beneath, and the feathers are greyish brown. After the 



