158 BEWICK'S SWAN. 



at Middleton, were observed at Crumpsall, near Manchester, 

 on the 10th. of December, 1829; and again, seventy-three 

 at the same place, on the 28th. of February, 1830." The 

 bird just mentioned, being only slightly wounded, was kept 

 alive, and on the 23rd. of March, another, a male, no doubt 

 the same one that had been observed to remain with it at 

 first, for some hours, after the rest of the flock had gone 

 off, made its appearance, and after flying round and round 

 for some time, descended to it with much apparent joy. It 

 remained with it, and soon became accustomed to the presence 

 of strangers, but, on the 13th. of April, being alarmed by 

 some dogs, took flight and did not return; and, on the 5th. 

 of September, the female, whose wing had by that time 

 become sound again, also disappeared, and was seen no more. 



In Ireland this Swan has been noticed pretty commonly. 

 Several flocks were seen in January, 1836. In February, 

 1830, a flock of seven alighted in a field near Belfast, and 

 two of them were secured. One was obtained in Wexford 

 Harbour, on the 1st. of February, 1844. 



In Scotland it is not uncommon in Sutherlandshire on 

 the lochs. 



They migrate southwards in October, and retire northwards 

 again in March. 



In their natural state they appear to be shy and timid, 

 but they are, nevertheless, easily susceptible of a certain 

 degree of domestication; they are gentle in their manners, 

 and live amicably with other kinds. 



They feed on insects and their larvae, seeds, the roots, 

 stems, and leaves of water-plants, and worms, and swallow 

 therewith some gravel. They wade for their food in shallow 

 waters, immersing the head and neck for the purpose. 



Their call is loud and clamorous a deep whistle, heard at 

 a considerable distance. 



The nest is reported by Captain Lyons, E..N., to be built 

 of peat-moss, and to be nearly as much as six feet long, 

 four feet and three quarters wide, and two feet high on the 

 outside, the hollow one foot and a half across. Another 

 account says that the materials used are flags, rushes, and 

 the small boughs of willow trees; doubtless those most 

 readily procurable are differently made use of in different 

 places. 



The eggs are of a cream white colour. 



This Swan too is said to occupy six weeks in the incubation 



