OCT. WILD-SWANS. 5 



tiful sights imaginable. There is, too, a wild har- 

 mony in their bugle-like cry, as they wheel round 

 and round, now separating into small companies, 

 as each family of five or six seems inclined to alight, 

 and now all joining again in a long undulating line, 

 waiting for the word of command from some old 

 leader, whose long acquaintance with the country 

 and its dangers constitutes him a swan of note 

 among the common herd. At last this leader 

 makes up his mind to alight, and in a few moments 

 the whole flock are gradually sinking down on the 

 calm loch. After a brief moment or two spent in 

 looking round them, with straight and erect necks, 

 they commence sipping the water, and turning their 

 flexible necks into a thousand graceful curves and 

 attitudes. They then break off into small com- 

 panies, each apparently a separate family, and set 

 to work, with seemingly a most excellent appetite, 

 on the water-grasses and plants. I regret to say 

 that the number of wild- swans seems to decrease 

 every year. Fewer and fewer visit this country, 

 scared away, probably, by the yearly alteration 

 made in their favourite haunts and feeding-grounds 

 by draining and other improvements, which sub- 

 stitute oats for rushes, and sheep for wild-fowl, an 

 alteration by no means gladdening to the eyes of 

 my old garde-chasse. The diminution in their 



