THE SWAN. 



271 



so abundant in down, and its colour of purest white of the species 

 with which we are most familiar, and is the finest and largest of all 

 our aquatic birds. On the water it is a picture of elegant ease ; it 

 swims apparently without effort, and with great rapidity ; on the 

 wing it rises to a great height, but on shore its walk is slow and 

 cumbersome. It is found in Europe, Asia, and America ; and in 

 Australia the Black Swan, for ages the rara avis of the poets, is 

 very abundant. In the wild state it lives on the lakes, rivers, 



Fig. 99. Swans (Cygnus olar). 



and sea-coasts of both hemispheres, feeding on such seeds, leaves, 

 roots, water-insects, frogs, and worms as come in its way. In its 

 domestic state it is the charm and ornament of our lakes and 

 rivers ; but, except in some few instances, it is only kept for show, 

 being jealous and cruel in disposition, and incapable of being 

 tamed. 



The ancients thought the voice of the Swan musical and har- 

 monious, and its gracefully-rounded form and stately neck inspired 

 many poets, who have described it as the bird of gods and god- 



