BEWICK'S SWAN. 203 



4th of April, was even more familiar than its captive mate. 

 As these birds were strongly attached to each otker, 

 and seemed to be perfectly reconciled to their situation, 

 which, in many respects was an exceedingly favourable 

 one, there was every reason to believe that a brood would 

 be obtained from them. This expectation, however, was 

 not destined to be realised. On the 13th of April, the 

 male Swan, alarmed by some strange dogs which found 

 their way to the reservoir, took flight and did not return ; 

 and on the 5th of September, in the same year, the female 

 bird, whose injured wing had recovered its original vigour, 

 quitted the scene of its misfortunes and was seen no more." 

 Specimens of Bewick's Swan have been obtained in se- 

 veral parts of Scotland; and Mr. Thompson, of Belfast, 

 has recorded that this species is certainly more common in 

 Ireland than the Hooper. Several strings of them, as 

 they are there called from the form in which they fly, were 

 seen in January, 1836; single individuals were brought to 

 market occasionally, by which museums and collectors 

 were supplied ; and Mr. Thompson particularly mentions 

 that in February, 1830, a flock containing seven of these 

 Swans alighted in a flooded meadow near Belfast, when 

 they were shot at, and two of them so disabled by the 

 one discharge, as to be, after some difficulty, secured. They 

 were bought by "William Sinclaire, Esq., and on their 

 wounds being found so trivial as merely to incapacitate 

 them from flight, were placed in his aquatic menagerie, 

 where, in company with many other species of wild-fowl, 

 chiefly Anatidce, they have since remained. Mr. Sinclaire 

 also mentions, that every spring and autumn since he has 

 had these Swans, they have regularly, about the months 

 of March and September, become very restless, and for 

 the period of at least three weeks have wandered from the 

 enclosure within which they are contented to remain all 



