THE GALLINACEOUS TRIBES 



251 



the beak is red, while the beak itself is gray. 

 The legs are also red. 



A species less known by private individuals 

 and less seen on the artificial waters of a city 

 is the tninipci sivaiK v.-hich is very easy to 



the house. In Belgium a flock of swans are daily 

 guests at the casino of the officers of the 

 " Guards." This casino stands close to the canal 

 of the city, and near it are steps leading down to 

 the water. Every afternoon the swans come 



WllITF. Sw.ANS 



propagate in its captive state, but it is not so 

 welcome as it might be, on account of its noisy 

 trumpetings. 



Generally, in a peaceful neighborhood, swans 

 can be brought to behave as domestic animals ; 

 that is to say, to come out of the water and seek 

 their food in a certain place, often very near to 



out of the canal, go up the steps, and across the 

 street to the kitchen of the casino, where they 

 knock with their beaks on the floor. Their meal 

 is given to them, and then, at the command of 

 the head cook, they return to the canal in line, 

 paying no attention to dogs, carriages, or an}'- 

 thing else encountered on their way. 



