284 HISTORY OF 



contrast with the lustre of those near the settle- 

 ment. The cry of the bell-bird seems to be un- 

 known here. Aquatic birds, web-footed and 

 waders, frequent the arms and covers of the ri- 

 ver ; but the black swans alone are remarkable 

 in point of number. Mr. Bass once saw three 

 hundred swimming within the space of a quarter 

 of a mile; and heard the " dying song" so ce- 

 lebrated by the poets. Not more than two thirds 

 of any of the flocks which they fell in with could 

 fly, the rest could do no more than flap along 

 upon the surface of the water, being either 

 moulting, or not yet come to their full feather 

 and growth, which they require two years to at- 

 tain. They swam and flapped alternately, and 

 went surprisingly fast It was some times a long 

 chase, but the boat generally tired them out. 

 When in danger, speed makes no part of their 

 escape, they immerse their bodies so far, that 

 the water makes a passage between their neck 

 and back, and in this position they would avoid 

 a heavy load of shot. They seemed endowed 

 with much sagacity ; in chase they soon learned 

 the weakest point of their pursuers, and, instead 

 of swimming directly from them, as they did at 

 iirst, always endeavoured in the most artful man- 

 ner to gain the wind. 



The swan is said to feed upon fish, frogs, 

 and water-slugs; but in the gizards of many 

 that at different times and in different places 

 were examined, nothing appeared but small wa- 

 iter plants, and some little sand. Of their afFec-' 

 tjon for their young he had seen some sacri- 



