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THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



Black-Necked Swan. This species is a native of South America, and is sometimes 

 known as the Chilian Swan. The plumage of these birds is snow white, except the head and 

 neck, which are jet black, all but a narrow streak of white across the eyes. The bill is lead 

 color, with red protuberance; legs, reddish orange. In swimming, this bird carries its neck 

 erect, more like the goose, and not curved like most of the other species of swan. 



Management of Swans. These birds should be provided with shelter near the 

 edge of the water, to which they can have easy access. A small house will answer the 

 purpose, suitable provision being made for nests and feeding. They are powerful birds, 

 guarding their nests and young with zealous care, and will not tolerate any interference 



BLACK-NECKED SWAN. 



during the season of incubation. But little can be done except to provide food and proper 

 shelter, unless the birds have been previously made quite tame. When petted and frequently 

 handled, they can be made very tame, swimming a long distance to feed from the hand. 

 Their food should consist principally of grain, a variety being as necessary as for other birds. 

 If the young swan are wild when hatched, soaked cracker or bread may be thrown to them 

 upon the water; but if the old birds have been thoroughly domesticated, the young will be 

 apt to be quite tame. Swan s eggs may be hatched under geese or large ducks, in which 

 case they may be brought up quite^ame. 



