

THE SWAN. 345 



better for the Swans, who invariably build their large 

 and bulky nest upon it. It is placed amongst the herbage 

 bordering the water, and made of aquatic plants, dry 

 grasses, and withered leaves. The eggs, as may be 

 supposed, are very large, and from five to seven in 

 number, olive-green without markings. In most birds 

 when the eggs are deposited we find they never do 

 anything further to the nest, but with the Swan it is 

 different. As incubation proceeds, the sitting bird gathers 

 all the herbage within reach of its beak, and adds it to 

 the bottom part of the structure, so that when the eggs 

 are hatched the nest is probably many inches higher 

 than when they were first laid. I can only account for 

 this strange procedure by classing it amongst the 

 many protective arts displayed by birds in connection 

 with their nests. For as the Swan invariably, or nearly 

 so, builds her nest close to the water's edge, any sudden 

 rise of the waters would probably mean the destruction 

 of her eggs, so she prepares for the emergency in the 

 above rather remarkable manner. Even though her 

 nest be away from the water she still displays this pecu- 

 liarity, for she is prompted to do so by an imperative and 

 resistless impulse within her, irrespective of the situation. 

 Both birds sit upon the eggs, although the female does 

 so most frequently, the male bird merely relieving her 

 while she seeks her food. The male bird is also the 

 sentinel, and woe betide any unfortunate bird or animal 

 that comes suspiciously near the nest. Even man him- 

 self is not respected, and the birds will hiss, or even attack 

 him, if he still persists in his approach. 



The young of the Swan are called Cygnets, and they 

 differ vastly from their parents. Instead of wearing a 

 snow-white garb, like them, they are clothed in plumage 

 brown and dingy, yet withal they bear a certain swan- 



