71 



BEWICK'S SWAN. 



PLATE CLxxrrm. FIG. i. 

 Cygnus Bewickii, YAKBELL. 



THE nest is reported by Captain Lyons, R.N., to be built of peat- 

 moss, and to be nearly as much as six feet long, four feet and three 

 quarters wide, and two feet high on the outside, the hollow one foot 

 and a half across. Another account says that the materials used are 

 flags, rushes, and the small boughs of willow trees; doubtless those 

 most readily procurable are differently made use of in different places. 



The eggs are of a white cream colour. This Swan too is said to 

 occupy six weeks in the incubation of them. Many pairs build in the 

 same vicinity, but each pair maintain the right of private property for 

 the time being in their own more immediate abode. 



