386 



Birds. 



" Black Swan " was used in ancient times as equivalent 

 to a nonentity ; but a species nearly entirely black has 

 been lately discovered in Australia. This bird is as 

 large as the white Swan, and its bill is of a rich scarlet. 

 The whole plumage (except the primaries and seconda- 

 ries, which are white) is of the most intense black. 



Swans are very long lived, sometimes attaining the 

 great age of a century and a half. 



THE WILD GOOSE. (Anser ferns.) 



" The farmer's Goose, who in the stubble 

 Has fed without restraint or trouble, 

 Grown fat with corn, and sitting still, 

 Can scarce get o'er the barn-door sill ; 

 And hardly waddles forth to cool 

 Her body in the neighbouring pool ; 

 Nor loudly cackles at the door, 

 For cackling shows the Goose is poor." 



SWIFT. 



THE GOOSE is very different in outward appearance from 

 the last-named bird. Stupidity in her look, uncouth- 

 ness in her walk, and heaviness in her flight are her 

 principal characteristics. But why should we dwell 

 upon these defects ? they are not such in the great scale 

 of the creation. Her flesh feeds many, and is not dis- 

 dained even by the great ; her feathers keep us warm ; 



