36 BRITISH BIRDS. 



The plumage is of an ash-colour till the second year, 

 after which it becomes pure white. The female builds 

 her nest of water-plants, reeds, long grass, and sticks, in 

 some retired bank of a river or lake, and her eggs are 

 much larger than those of a goose. The young are 

 called cygnets : as soon as they can fly their quill- 

 feathers are clipped ; and this is repeated every year. 



The swan lives to a great age ; sometimes, it is said, 

 to a century or more. Though a powerful enemy when 

 attacked, it is not an offensive bird. A few years ago a 

 very fine swan was drowned in Trentham Pool, the seat 

 of the Marquess of Stafford, by a pike driving at its 

 bill : they were of equal strength, and the bird and the 

 fish alike perished. 



Each family of swans on the river Thames has its 

 own district ; and if its limits are encroached upon by 

 others, a pursuit immediately takes place, and the of- 

 fenders are driven off : in other cases they live in per- 

 fect harmony. The male is very attentive to his mate, 

 and the parent birds take great care of the cygnets. 

 Where the stream is strong, the old swan will sink her- 

 self sufficiently low to bring her back on a level with 

 the water, when the young ones will get upon it, and in 

 this manner are conveyed to the other side of the river, 

 or into stiller water. 



