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 even 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 



