THE BLACK SWAN. 



255 



in a hut constructed of branches of trees and heaps of snow, at 

 short range easily shoot them. 



The flesh of the Swan is very indifferent in flavour. Our fore- 

 fathers ate it, but merely from ostentation, for it was only served up 

 on the tables of the greatest nobles. At the present day, the city of 

 Norwich has a preserve for Swans, which are only eaten at the muni- 

 cipal feasts, or sent as presents to distinguished individuals. In these 

 cases, the birds being young, and tenderly fed, are by no means 



Fig. 94. Black Swans. 



a dish to be despised, if properly cooked. The inhabitants of the 

 frozen regions of the extreme north, even with their imperfect system 

 of cuisine, do not entirely disdain it ; but the cause for this is appa- 

 rently something analogous to the philosophical saying, " as there 

 are no thrushes, we eat blackbirds." 



The river Thames is remarkable for the number of Swans which 

 live on it. The greater quantity of them belong to the Queen ; the 

 others chiefly to the Vintners' and Dyers' Companies of the City of 

 London, but we never heard that these feast their guests on the 

 noble birds. Deputations from the Companies make an annual visit 

 to their preserves, called swan-hopping, or capering that is, catching 

 the cygnets, and marking them in the presence of the royal swanherd 



