68 BIRDS OF NOEFOLK. 



majority of the nests in liis neighbourhood whilst the 

 birds are laymg, carefully noticing the number of the 

 eggs in each, the owners' marks on the birds, and 

 their respective ages, and his statements may, I think, 

 in some decree, account for the strange discrepancy in 

 the works of British ornithologists^ as to the number of 

 eggs laid by the mute swan. 



The wide range afforded the swans on the Tare, 

 with the abundant supply of their natural diet, accounts 

 to some extent, no doubt, for the very large number 

 of cygnets reared within our civic boundaries. On 

 this point Mr. Dixon states that in one year, on that 

 portion of the Yare next to his late residence at 

 Cringleford, three pairs of swans had each a brood of 

 nine cygnets, which he considered above the average; 

 but he had even known seven reared on a very small 

 moat. On the Tare below Norwich, and on the adjacent 

 broads, allowing for accidents and the difference in 

 laying between young and old females, I believe seven 

 to be about the average of young hatched, though many 

 a proud mother there launches her little fleet of ten or 

 even eleven cygnets. The following return from the 

 swanherd's book of the produce of a single pair during 

 eight seasons, though very exceptional, will show the 

 effect of selection and the introduction of new blood 

 into the local stock. The cock swan, a remarkably fine 

 young male, was brought from some inland water,t and 



* Yarrell states that tlie mute swan lays from six to seven 

 eggs ; Bewick six to eight ; Mudie from five to eight ; Hunt 

 (" British Ornithology") six to eight ; Pennant seven to eight ; 

 Daniel (" Eural Sports") six to ten ; and Morris from two to eight 

 or nine. 



t I am told that, as compared with those bred in the " Broad" 

 district, the swans of our inland waters rarely pair until the third 

 year, and nest somewhat later in the season. The cygnets, also. 



