VIII. 



THAMES SWANS. 

 (Cygnus olor.) 



PEOPLE crossing the various thoroughfares that span 

 the Thames between Vauxhall and London bridges, 

 may often notice several Swans quietly swimming along 

 the shallows, usually on the " Surrey side " of the water. 

 These graceful birds in their snow-white dress seem 

 strangely out of place amongst grimy coal barges and 

 lighters laden with merchandise from all parts of the 

 world. These Swans, however, are but visitors from the 

 upper reaches of the river. The Thames in London is 

 too grimy now for Swans to reside long upon its waters ; 

 but years ago many of these birds were kept even below 

 London Bridge. In ancient views of the port of London, 

 Swans are usually shown swimming in that part of the 

 river, and even at the present day they may occasionally 

 be seen in the neighbourhood of Rotherhithe and the 

 Surrey Commercial Docks. The Swan, however, must 

 always have been somewhat rare below bridge, and out 

 of its usual haunts. Amongst the fees of the Constable 



