MUTE SWAN. 161 
There are Swanneries of greater or less size in various 
parts of England, and in numberless places a pair of these 
noble, stately, and graceful birds are. to be seen. As many 
as forty are mentioned by Mr. Knapp, the author of the 
‘Journal of a Naturalist,’ as having been counted by him on 
a Swan-pool that then existed, but no longer exists, near 
Lincoln; and twice that number might recently be seen on 
the Swannery of Lord Ilchester, at Abbotsbury, in Dorsetshire. 
In their wild state they are shy, but, as is expressed by 
their duplicate names, and also well known, are thoroughly 
tameable, so as to come when invited and take food from 
any one accustomed to give it to them, or even from 
strangers, when used, if so I may express myself, to the 
sight of them. 
Bewick writes, ‘At the setting in of frosty weather, the 
Wild Swans are said to associate in large flocks, and thus 
united, to use every effort to prevent the water from freezing: 
this they accomplish by the continual stir kept up among 
them; and by constantly dashing it with their extended 
wings, they are enabled to remain as long as it suits their 
convenience, in some favourite part of the lake or river, 
which abounds with their food. The Swan is very properly 
entitled the peaceful Monarch of the Lake: conscious of his 
superior strength, he fears no enemy, nor suffers any bird, 
however powerful, to molest him; neither does he prey upon 
any one. His vigorous wing is as a shield against the 
attacks éven of an Eagle, and the blows from it are said to 
be so powerful, as to stun or kill the fiercest of his foes. 
The wolf or the fox may surprise him in the dark, but 
their efforts are vain in the day.’ 
Part of the above statement is, however, to be taken ‘cum 
grano salis, for while engaged with their young, and in 
guardianship of them, Swans are full of spirit, and their great 
strength makes them powerful and dangerous foes, to man, dog, 
or other supposed enemy. It has been said that a fair blow 
of the wing will break a man’s leg. Meyer mentions one 
which he knew attack a man with great fury, and fracture 
his arm with one stroke. When different pairs of Swans, 
with their families, are on the same piece of water, each keeps 
within the limits of their own district, and resist any encroach- 
ment by the others. 
The old birds associate with their young through the winter, 
but drive them away in the spring. Swans have been known 
VOL. VI. M 
