394 THE MUTE SWAN. 



the most needful. Pollard frequently scattered on the surface 

 of the pond will be of material assistance ; and whatever it is 

 found that they will eat, let them have in the greatest 

 abundance. Their growth is rapid ; their weight should be 

 considerable, with but little time to acquire it in. The period 

 cannot be extended much longer than from June to the end 

 of November. By Christmas they must all either be eaten, 

 or have emigrated, when the parents will begin to direct their 

 thoughts forward to a succeeding family. Confined Swans 

 sometimes get a sort of quid of mud, fibres, and gravel, under 

 their chins, which it is as well now and then to examine and 

 clean out. 



A fat Cygnet is a capital dish, and deserves a higher repute 

 than it generally obtains. Its stately appearance on the table 

 is alone worth something. Those who have only a good-sized 

 pond say from a quarter to half an acre of water may rear 

 and fat an annual brood. In so small a space, the old birds 

 must of course share with their young the extra supply of fat- 

 ting corn ; but they will get through the winter the better for 

 it, and be more prolific in the spring. Neither they nor their 

 Cygnets should at any time be allowed to become poor. 



When Cygnets are removed from their parents, to be fatted 

 in a regular Swan-pond, it is usual to separate them at the end 

 of August or the beginning of September. At first, grass is 

 thrown into the water to them twice a day, with their other 

 food; but this is not continued for more than a fortnight. A 

 comb of barley is the established allowance to fat each Swan. 

 The corn is put into shallow tubs, set just under water. The 

 birds are considered worth from 10s. to 12s. each when they 

 are "hopped" or "upped" from their native streams; but 

 when brought into prime condition, 2L, formerly 21. 2s. They 

 may occasionally be had for less, in which case they make a 

 cheap as well as a handsome dish to set before a large dinner 

 party. Their weight in the feathers varies from 25 Ibs. to 

 28 Ibs. and sometimes, though rarely, 30 Ibs. They are never 



