96 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 



On the Wensum, above the New Mills, usually 

 termed the '' back " river, the " upping " takes place on 

 the last Monday in August, and many of the cygnets 

 reared on that stream, about Hellesdon, Ringland, and 

 Bylaugh, or on private waters in that neighbourhood, 

 are also sent by their respective owners to be fattened in 



ST. HELEN'S SWAN PIT. 



This receptacle for the young birds during that 

 brief period of their existence, in which alone they 

 are esteemed for edible purposes, is situated at the 

 back of the Hospital premises, and separated only by a 

 meadow from the river from which it receives its STipply 

 of water, subject to tidal influences. The pit itself is 

 formed of brickwork, and is about thirty-five yards long 

 by eleven or twelve in width, with wooden feeding 

 troughs so arranged along three sides of the water as to 

 rise and fall with the tide. At one end a wooden 

 staging assists the cygnets to land at pleasure, and this 

 communicates with a small square yard, laid down in 

 grass, where the birds retire to rest and preen them- 

 selves, and in which they are caught more easily when 

 required ; whilst a weighing machine and weights, close 

 at hand, which complete the accessories, have a decidedly 

 ominous and sacrificial effect. This part, however, for 

 the sake of cleanliness, is shut off from the grass walks 

 running the whole length of the pit from which visitors 

 are accustomed to view the swans. 



Within this tank, which has held from eighty to 

 one hundred cygnets at a time, the fattening process is 

 carried on which has for years, in a gastronomical sense, 

 rendered Norwich swans almost as famous as Norfolk 

 turkeys; and never more so than under Mr. Simpson's 

 treatment, during the last twenty-seven years, to whom 

 my thanks are due for much valuable information. 



