THE BRANT AND SWAN. 163 



other, which is almost peculiar to this tribe. 

 It is a species of apoplexy, in which the an- 

 imal drops down suddenly, and, unless as- 

 sisted, dies on the spot. The remedy is to 

 open with a penknife or lancet a vein un- 

 der the foot. 



The Brant, which in its wild state is 

 highly esteemed (particularly the young) 

 for the exquisite delicacy of its meat, has 

 been domesticated. This does not, how- 

 ever, appear to have improved it much, and 

 its small size will scarcely render it (except 

 for curiosity) an object of much attention. 



The Swan is only kept as an ornament on 

 pieces of water in pleasure-grounds, and, 

 as we suppose, is chiefly valued for the po- 

 etic associations connected with its history. 

 In England, I observe that its place is now 

 almost exclusively occupied at the present 

 day by the A. Canadensis, or common wild 

 goose of this country. In Europe the swan 

 begins to lay in February, and sits upon 

 seven or eight eggs. The period of incu- 

 bation lasts six weeks. 



