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OUR DOMESTIC BIRDS 



it is a good plan to feed swans a little of something else occa- 

 sionally, to attach them to the person who has charge of them. 

 As every one knows who has seen the swans in parks, where 

 visitors amuse themselves by feeding them, swans are very fond 

 of bread. They will eat grain also, although, when not accus- 

 tomed to it, they may at first refuse it. Their food is usually given 

 either by throwing it on the water or by placing it in troughs 

 from which the birds can eat while floating upon the water. 



FIG. 178. View of an English swannery 



The female builds near the water a nest of coarse stalks and 

 small sticks. Sometimes this is reared to a height of several 

 feet, and material added around the sides, little by little, during 

 the whole period of incubation. Swans have been known to 

 pile up nearly half a cord of material for their nest. From 

 five to ten eggs are laid in the nest. The period of incubation 

 is six weeks. As far as possible, interference with the birds 

 should be avoided during the breeding season and while the 

 young are small. When it is necessary to handle them in any 



