OP THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 311 



bill, and the plumage of the upper parts pure, unsullied white. Although this 

 bird received the trivial name of " Polish" Swan, it appears to have been confined 

 to the British Islands with the exception of a single example captured on the 

 Haarlem Lake, in Holland, during December, 1840. The alleged characters of 

 the '"adult" appear only to depend on age the older the bird the larger the 

 frontal tubercle, and the darker the legs. As regards the white plumage of the 

 young, it appears to be nothing but an exceptional albinism, the result probably 

 of semi-domestication, and from a similar cause as that which has originated 

 white Ducks and poultry. 



Habits. The Mute Swan is too well known in a domesticated state to re- 

 quire any lengthy description of its habits in our Islands. There can be little doubt 

 that a few really wild birds visit the British Islands from time to time in winter, 

 but it is utterly impossible to identify them, as domesticated birds often wander 

 about a good deal from one sheet of water to another where they are allowed to 

 live unpinioned. In the northern portions of its range the Mute Swan is a 

 regular bird of passage, appearing in its summer quarters in March, and leaving 

 them with its brood in October. Like its congeners, it migrates in flocks of 

 varying size by day and by night, in the same wedge-shaped formations. Its 

 haunts in summer are large lakes, especially those that contain islands with 

 plenty of low cover, amongst which it can make its nest safe from enemies. 

 During winter wild Mute Swans frequent the coast as much as their congeners 

 do ; and in India they haunt the tanks and lakes, but are rare visitors. The 

 flight of this bird is powerful and rapid, and the noise of the mighty wings may 

 be heard a long distance, especially across water on a calm, still day. Although 

 tame and confiding enough with us in a semi-domesticated state, when wild it is 

 excessively shy and wary, rarely admitting of a close approach. When fired at, 

 however, instances are on record where the flock has returned again and again, 

 flying over their fallen companions, and showing the greatest reluctance to quit 

 the place. The Mute Swan is a much more graceful bird in the water than either 

 of its two preceding congeners, and its neck is often curved into beautiful lines. 

 It feeds, however, in much the same manner, both whilst on land and swimming 

 in the water. This food consists of aquatic plants and grass, insects and their 

 larvae, mollusks, and frogs. The bird is also said to eat fish spawn, and I have 

 known it to devour small fish. In a state of domestication the Mute Swan, as its 

 name implies, is a very silent bird, only making a low, hissing noise, especially 

 when excited or angry ; but wild individuals are said to utter a loud, trumpet- 

 like cry, similar to the note of the Whooper. 



Nidification. The breeding season of wild Mute Swans commences in 

 April or May. Both tame and wild birds appear to pair for life, and to return 

 each season to a favourite nesting place, although they usually make a new nest 



