and weeds, often nearly two feet high and four feet across, the eggs being 

 generally half-buried in the reeds which form the lining of the nest. It is 

 usually built on a reed-covered shallow in the lake or loch, or on some small, 

 unfrequented island among the willows and tall grass, near the water. The 

 nest is generally repaired from year to year. During the period of incubation, 

 which usually lasts from thirty-four to thirty-eight days, the male guards the 

 vicinity of the nest from all intrusion, swimming up to the intruder and hissing 

 angrily, and will drive off any unfortunate duck or coot that comes too near 

 the sacred precincts. 



The food of the Swan consists chiefly of water-plants, but frogs are 

 occasionally taken as a change, and it will eat water-insects and fresh-water 

 shell-fish. 



The number of eggs laid by the Swan varies from five to nine. They 

 are greenish white in colour, somewhat rough in texture, and generally rather 

 oval, being much the same shape at each end. They vary in length from 

 4'9 to 4'4 inches, and in breadth from 3-2 to 2^9 inches. 



22 



