346 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



like look, and their carnage distinguishes them from more 

 ignoble birds. In their infancy it is no uncommon thing 

 to see the mother bird with several of her young on her 

 back, conveying them through the water : the same thing 

 often occurs on the dry land, the parent bird assisting 

 them to mount. The old Swans tend their young, 

 forage for them, fight for them, and shield them with the 

 greatest care, for the first season. After that period has 

 passed all affection for them appears to cease, and the 

 old birds drive their offspring away as so many intruders. 

 The young Swans have now but a sorry time of it, and 

 are perpetually harassed by their parents, who pursue 

 them the instant they take to the water. Upon reaching 

 maturity the young birds pair and take possession of 

 certain parts of the waters, and they in their turn become 

 the oppressors. 



The food of the Swan is for the most part composed 

 of vegetable substances. The birds are seen grazing 

 upon the banks of the waters, and, aided by their long 

 necks, securing the tender shoots of the water plants 

 growing at the bottom of the pool. The seeds of water 

 plants are also eaten, as are also various forms of 

 aquatic insect life. The Swan has also a partiality for 

 fish, and I have seen them catch and swallow whole, 

 young tench ; and even the perch, with all his array of 

 spines and scaly armour, is not safe from their attacks. 



