90 STRA Y FEA THERS FROM MANY BIRDS. 



received one of the young birds as his reward. When 

 the birds of different owners mate together the brood is 

 divided, the odd bird, if there chance to be one, going to 

 the owner of the male Swan. 



We cannot associate this beautiful bird with old 

 Father Thames, where his waters have become clouded 

 and discoloured by pollutions of every kind as soon as 

 he reaches the vast Metropolis. Where the Swan is in 

 harmony with the river is far away up-stream, where 

 the water is clear as crystal, and the grimy barges and 

 endless rows of warehouses are replaced by fishermen's 

 punts, tall reeds, water lilies and weeping willows. 

 There the Thames Swan finds a congenial home, and 

 floats proudly on the bosom of the silvery winding 

 stream. He preserves his favourite reach of the river 

 from all intruders, and is ever ready to wage fierce battle 

 against any other bird that may chance to invade his 

 privacy. Swans are alluded to as " peaceful monarchs 

 of the waters ; " but in the mating season they are most 

 pugnacious birds. They probably pair for life, making 

 a bulky nest, generally on an island in the river, in which 

 the female lays six or seven large pale green eggs. As 

 incubation advances, the nest is increased in bulk. The 

 young birds are brown in colour, not fully attaining 

 their snow-white livery until the second year. Swans 

 are a great ornament to the Thames, and lend it an 

 additional charm and grace in its higher reaches ; but 



