158 BEWICK’S SWAN. 
at Middleton, were observed at Crumpsall, near Manchester, 
on the 10th. of December, 1829; and again, seventy-three 
at the same place, on the 28th. of February, 1830. The 
bird just mentioned, being only slightly wounded, was kept 
alive, and on the 28rd. of March, another, a male, no doubt 
the same one that had been observed to remain with it at 
first, for some hours, after the rest of the flock had gone 
off, made its appearance, and after flying round and round 
for some time, descended to it with much apparent joy. It 
remained with it, and soon became accustomed to the presence 
of strangers, but, on the 13th. of April, being alarmed by 
some dogs, took flight and did not return; and, on the 5th. 
of September, the female, whose wing had by that time 
become sound again, also disappeared, and was seen no more. 
In Ireland this Swan has been noticed pretty commonly. 
Several flocks were seen in January, 1836. In February, 
1830, a flock of seven alighted in a field near Belfast, and 
two of them were secured. One was obtained in Wexford 
Harbour, on the Ist. of February, 1844. 
In Scotland it is not uncommon in Sutherlandshire on 
the lochs. 
They migrate southwards in October, and retire northwards 
again in March. 
In their natural state they appear to be shy and timid, 
but they are, nevertheless, easily susceptible of a certain 
degree of domestication; they are gentle in their manners, 
and live amicably with other kinds. 
They feed on insects and their larve, seeds, the roots, 
stems, and leaves of water-plants, and worms, and swallow 
therewith some gravel. They wade for their food in shallow 
waters, immersing the head and neck for the purpose. 
Their call is loud and clamorous—a deep whistle, heard at 
a considerable distance. 
The nest is reported by Captain Lyons, R.N., to be built 
of peat-moss, and to be nearly as much as six feet long, 
four feet and three quarters wide, and two feet high on the 
outside, the hollow one foot and a half across. Another 
account says that the materials used are flags, rushes, and 
the small boughs of willow trees; doubtless those most 
readily procurable are differently made use of in different 
places. 
The eggs are of a cream white colour. 
This Swan too is said to occupy six weeks in the incubation 
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