104 PHOTOGRAPHY FOR NATURALISTS. 



The naturally graceful lines of the swimming swan 

 have made it a favourite subject* with* pictorial photo- 

 graphers. Haphazard snapshots, however, are likely 

 to be disappointing. Careful observation will show 

 that the swan is seen at his best at comparatively 

 infrequent intervals. This probably arises from the 

 mobility of his long neck, and the fact that the normal 

 position of the wings is flat upon the body. One is 



Poultry. 



sometimes strangely reminded of the pictures of the 

 plesiosaurus. In the breeding season it should be 

 possible to secure a picture of a swan flying. In the 

 spring of last year the writer observed one pass over 

 the same spot at nearly the same time for a suc- 

 cession of days. Its approach was always heralded by 

 the peculiar and unmistakable whirring of wings, and 

 had the camera been in readiness one could hardly 

 have failed to secure a picture. 



