394 



BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



pally on the Thames, Avon, Norfolk Broads, and at 

 Abbotsbury in Dorsetshire. 



Materials. Reeds, rushes, dry flags, and grass, 

 often in great quantities, and down. 



Eggs. Three to twelve, generally six or seven ; 

 dull greenish-white. Size about 4.5 by 2.9 in. 



Time. March, April, and May. 



Remarks. Strictly speaking, this bird has no 

 proper claim to be included in a work of this character, 

 for although it breeds in a perfectly wild state on 

 the Continent, it has never been known to do so 

 within the limits of the British Isles. The case 

 of the Pheasant, however, another introduced half- 

 domesticated bird, holding its own only through 

 strict protection, paves the way. 



The Mute Swan is said to have been first intro- 



SWAN'S NEST AND EGGS. 



duced into this country from Cyprus by Richard I., 

 who commenced to reign in 1189. It is considered 



