18 INDIAN DUCKS 



those of young birds, whilst the greater number of eggs are laid by 

 those fully adult. I should think, however, judging by analogy, that 

 though birds of the first season may lay fewer eggs than is normal, 

 it is, on the other hand, almost certain that very old birds lay but 

 small clutches. 



Their breeding-season naturally varies very much according to 

 the country they breed in. In the warmer — less cold, would, per- 

 haps, be a more correct expression — countries they commence 

 breeding in May, but in Iceland, Greenland, etc., they are normally 

 at least a month later, and August even may still find some of the 

 latest birds laying. 



Incubation lasts from thirty-five to forty days, thirty-seven being 

 the most usual number of days for a swan to sit, though eggs of the 

 same clutch may vary considerably in this respect. 



Swans are very good parents, and look after their young with the 

 greatest care, the duck-bird often carrying her young ones about on 

 her back whenever they want a rest. 



General Habits. — In the ' Asian ' of the 5th March, the following 

 curious note was published ; and from the habitat of the swans 

 mentioned, concerning which the note was written, it probably 

 relates to C. musicns : — 



" A Scandinavian writer, cited Ijy the ' Zoologist,' has recently 

 described a curious method of capturing swans much employed for 

 centuries past in the North-west of Iceland. ' The swans, after 

 moulting in autumn, leave the interior in order to reach the coast. 

 The inhabitants of the coast and their dogs are prepared, and, when 

 the birds approach, begin to make as much noise as they can by 

 shouting, striking boards with stones, and making as much of a 

 racket as possible. This noise has a powerful effect on the young 

 swans, whicli, terrified and distracted, and not knowing which way 

 to turn their heads, allow themselves to fall to the ground, when 

 they are captured without any difliculty.' Fear is likewise exploited 

 in South America for the capturing of another species of swan by 

 the Guachos, ' who, when they perceive a flock, run towards it, 

 keeping themselves leeward to the wind, and concealing themselves. 

 When they get close enough to the flock they spur up their horses 

 and rush upon the birds with loud shouts. The swans, seized with 

 fear, are unable to take flight, and allow themselves to be seized 

 and slaughtered upon the spot.' " 



