THE MUTE SWAN. 381 



Swan, whom he indulged in the free use of his wings, for the 

 gratification of observing his graceful evolutions in the air.* 

 But, at present, the discovery, and introduction, and disper- 

 sion of a species of Swan, that would be really tame, and stay 

 at home without being tied by the wing, as prolific, and 

 having a valuable plumage and flesh as the common sort, 

 would be one of the most valuable boons which the great 

 London societies could now offer to the proprietors of limited 

 portions of fluvial and lacustrine waters. 



The following extract may give a valuable hint ; unfortu- 

 nately, it does not state whether the pinioning knife had been 

 used. " At the residence of the governor of the province at 

 Calix, I saw three Swans, which, having been taken when 

 young, were as tame as Domestic Geese, to which these birds 

 are so much alike in every respect, that I can have no doubt 

 of their belonging to one genus. Their bill is flat and black 

 at the extremity, as well as on the margins, convex and some- 

 what angular in the middle, so far at least that the swelling 

 part terminates in an angle. The middle is fleshy where the 

 oblong nostrils are situated; the base, flat or quadrangular, 

 with two sinuses pointing upwards, and pale-coloured. The 

 margin is toothed, just like the Concha Veneris (Cyprsea.)" 

 Linnxus's Tour in Lapland, vol. ii. Mr. Yarrell, who, of all 

 naturalists, is perhaps best acquainted with the nice distinc- 

 tions that separate the various species of Swans, seems to refer 

 the above account to the Hooper or Whistling Swan. 



A service might thus be rendered to economical ornithology, 



* "Its powers of flight were truly astonishing. It visited all the 

 sheets of water for many miles around. On taking its excursions 

 into the world at large, I would often say to it, in a kindly tone of 

 voice, as it flew over my head, ' Qui ainat periculum, peribit in illo ;' 

 as I too clearly foresaw that foes would lie in ambush for it." 

 Essays, 2d Series, p. 122. 



