THE SWAN. 119 



grace. It will swim faster than a man can 

 walk. 



This bird has long been rendered domestic ; 

 and it is now a doubt whether there be any of 

 the tame kind in a state of nature. The colour 

 of the tame Swan is entirely white, and it 

 generally weighs full twenty pounds. Under 

 the feathers is a very thick soft down, which is 

 made an article of commerce, for purposes of 

 both use and ornament. The windpipe sinks 

 down into the lungs in the ordinary manner; 

 and it is the most silent of all the feathered 

 tribes ; it can do nothing more than hiss, which 

 it does on receiving any provocation. In these 

 respects it is very different from the wild or 

 whistling Swan. 



