1858.] SENATE— No. 4. 189 



account of them, and give anecdotes ijertaiuing to them alone. We 

 say alone, for there is an abundance that could be said of them which 

 is worthy of being placed on record. 



Here, again, comes in a poser on in-and-in breeding, for the largest 

 and best of those on exhibition were known to be descendants from 

 stock which Col. Jaques brought from Canada in 1818 No cross had 

 been introduced since that time, yet the Col. assured us they were 

 more sizable than the original pair. We could easily believe this 

 fact, from the knowledge of our stock, which is all of extra size, and 

 this too is known to be from the same original source. The fact of 

 their being well fed while young, may account for the increased size 

 over the pair alluded to by Col. Jaques, since his were caught when 

 wild. Though bred for generation after generation, every spring and 

 autumn they show the original disposition to emigrate, and are alone 

 prevented by the pinioning of the wing ; notwithstanding ail this, 

 they will come at call and feed from the hand. 



When bred in purity they are of little value for the table, and are 

 kept as an ornament to grace the water, or for coupling with other 

 geese and giving mongrels — in which case it is better to use a wild 

 male, by which course we get a larger number of eggs than we could 

 possibly get by using a tame gander to a wild female. 



SvvAXs Mute. — A large and handsome pair was shown by Eben 

 Wight, Dedham. These were only four years old and have not yet 

 given young. They were bred by the late R. L. Colt, of Paterson, 

 New Jersey, and sent to the present owner when some two months 

 old. The parents of these were procured in England. This is the 

 most beautiful bird that graces the water, and when v/atched for a 

 time they seem to take on as much vanity in showing off as would a 

 peacock. Sailing to the utmost extent of the water with despatch, they 

 turn about, the neck is gracefully arched, with wings raised and gently 

 arched so as to take the breeze, will they come sailing down to the 

 visitor. They are called " tame swan." To be sure the attachment 

 of home in them (as in the Canadian goose) is strong, when the 

 wing is pinioned and there is no getting away by flight, yet they are 

 no more tame than a hysena. They will come &t call, feed from the 

 hand, allow you to smooth the neck and body feathers, so tame are they, 

 and will remain while there is no chance for soaring higher than the 

 sheet of water allotted as their home. 



It is best, in securing a pair, that you should make choice of cyg- 

 nets, and see that the wings are pinioned before bringing them home, 

 that they may have no sad recollection of its having been done while 

 in your possession, the place where they are ever to remain. While 



