CHAP. XI.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 237 



fens and swamps of that climate ; but, being 

 of migratory habits, they, on the approach of 

 winter, regularly quit those cold regions for 

 more southern countries, in flights of several 

 hundreds. 



Of the Swan, in its loild state, we know but 

 little, for it has ever been a scarce bird ; and 

 even the tame breed, though very anciently 

 domesticated, would probably have been long 

 since destroyed were the race not protected by 

 enactments of the legislature, and preserved as 

 ornamental appendages to pleasure-grounds. 

 Its plumage is of the purest white, and no 

 bird can exceed the swan in gracefulness of 

 motion, as — 



" with arched neck 



Behveen her white wings mantling proudly," 



she sails upon her favourite element. 



The pair pass their lives together in the 

 peaceful enjoyment of mutual love— that 

 " Heaven's best gift !" which sheds happiness 

 upon every creature which tastes it. They 

 live chiefly upon those herbs and their seeds 

 which grow spontaneously about the water ; 

 and build their nest, of sticks and rushes, 

 upon some islet in the stream, or in any re- 



