Swan-sbooting 263 



small flocks, composed of a few old birds with 

 their cygnets ; these are augmented by others, 

 and soon large numbers congregate. Their desti- 

 nation is often reached at night ; discordant cries 

 announce the arrival and tell the satisfaction of a 

 long, tiresome journey ended. Few sights are 

 more imposing than the lines of white, and the 

 swan drifting majestically along the surface of 

 quiet water is deservedly the emblem of beauty 

 and grace. From afar the appearance is of a 

 snowbank. If disturbed, and not hard-pressed, 

 they swim off rather than take to wing. The 

 flight is started with considerable effort ; the bird 

 rising heavily against the wind quickly mounts to 

 an altitude far out of range, when the wings seem 

 almost motionless and the white line sails through 

 the air in striking distinction to the flapping flight 

 of geese. The note resembles slightly the noise 

 made by a tin horn, and its discordance is sup- 

 posed to increase with age. When birds in the 

 air, about to alight, call to those on the water, there 

 is often an utter din. 



The swan feeds on the shallow bars and flats, 

 keeping the body above water and dipping down 

 with its long neck. Various water-grasses, vege- 

 table matter, and small shellfish and Crustacea 

 comprise the diet. While age and resulting 

 toughness render the old bird scarcely edible, the 

 cygnet in some localities is highly prized. 



