206 THE SWAN. 



Mr. Platt's barn yard, this Goose, hearing their well 

 known voices, and not being quite contented with her 

 situation, instantly mounted into the air, joined the 

 flock, and disappeared with them. Mr. Platt was 

 sorry for the loss of his favourite Goose, and of course 

 never expected to see her again. But in the autumn, 

 when these birds migrate to the south, he happened 

 to be standing in his yard, when a flock of them ap- 

 peared in a direction to pass over him. While look- 

 ing at them, he saw three fly out from among the 

 rest, and after wheeling several times around, they 

 came down, and to his astonishment alighted in his 

 yard. In a few moments, Mr. Platt saw that one 

 of these was his lost favourite, which had escaped 

 the spring before. She had been with her compan- 

 ions to the frozen regions of the north, where having 

 hatched and reared her young, she now returned with 

 her little family to her old master. 



THE SWAJT. 



How large is the Swan ? 



The Swan is five feet long, and with the 

 spread, seven feet and a half in extent. His weight is 

 about twenty-five pounds. 



What kind of bird is the Swan ? 



This bird, although of the goose kind, is by far su- 

 perior in size and elegance to any other of this tribe. 



The form of the Swan has ever been celebrated 

 for its beauty and gracefulness. On the land, its short 



