THE SWAN. 371 



was of good elevation, and separated by a short 

 quick-set hedge on each side from the fields, over 

 which there was a commanding view. When in this 

 situation, their attention was attracted by a shriek- 

 ing cry, and they discovered a pair of sky-larks 

 rising out of the stubble, and crossing the road 

 before them at a slow rate, one of them having a 

 young bird in its claws, which was dropped in the 

 opposite field at a height of above thirty feet froir? 

 the ground, and killed by the fall. On taking 

 it up, it appeared to have been hatched about 

 eight or nine days. The affectionate parent was 

 endeavouring, unfortunately without success, to 

 convey its young one to a place of safety, but its 

 strength failed in the attempt. 



The young of the swan are frequently carried 

 on the back of the female swan while she is sailing 

 about in the water. The female is described to 

 assist her young cygnets in mounting upon her 

 back by raising her leg. In St. James's park 

 during summer this manoeuvre may be frequently 

 witnessed ; and the old bird with her charge on her 

 back presents us with a spectacle as curious as 

 that of a gipsy with her young in the same posi- 

 tion; only the bird is the more graceful of the 



