68 SWANS 



they are mature the clutch will vary from 9 to 11 eggs. The eggs vary 

 in size from a maximum of 4.92 by 3.15 inches to 4.41 by 2.84 inches. 

 The period of incubation is about five weeks and even longer if the 

 weather is cold. The nest is a bulky affair, built of aquatic herbage and 

 is always placed in close proximity to water. While the female is setting, 

 the male is particularly attentive and stands close guard to drive off 

 any intruders. Incubation is performed by the female alone, but it is 

 said that if accident should befall her, the male will continue the process 

 and rear the young. During the mating season, mighty battles will take 

 place among the young cobs for the possession of a mate. 



"To my mind an old male swan seldom looks more beautiful than 

 when 'on duty,' he sails forth from the margin of the stream to meet in- 

 truders; with his head and neck thrown back between his snowy pinions, 

 and every feather quivering with excitement, 

 he drives through the rippling water, content- 

 ing himself, if unmolested, with a quiet asser- 

 tion of his rights, but with loud hisses and 

 threatening actions resenting an attack. When 

 the young too, under the joint convoy of their 

 parents, have taken to the water, the actions 

 of both birds are full of grace and vigour, and 



the deep call-notes of the old pair mingle with the soft whistlings of 

 their downy nestlings. What prettier sight presents itself upon our in- 

 land waters with such a group disporting themselves in the bright sun- 

 shine of a summer's day, when the pure whiteness of the old birds' 

 feathers contrasts with the green back-ground of reeds and rushes, and 

 the little grey cygnets on their mother's back are peeping with bright 

 bead-like eyes from the shelter of her spotless plumes? This habit of 

 taking the young on her back is not, as some have supposed, adopted 

 only as a means of safety when crossing a strong current, but is a method 

 of brooding her young on the water, very commonly practised by the 

 female swan whilst her cygnets are small; and she will sink herself low 

 in the water that they may mount more easily. Whether at the same time 

 she gives them a leg up' by raising them on the broad webs of her own 

 feet I cannot say positively; but this is not improbable, since a favourite 

 action in swans is that of swimming with one foot resting upon the 

 lower part of the back, the sole of the foot being uppermost" (Stevenson 

 and Southwell, 1866-90). 



