6 FIELD-NOTES FOR THE YEAR. CH. XXI. 



the quantity killed, whichj comparatively speaking, 

 is inconsiderable. 



On their first arrival the swans are much less shy 

 and wary than they are after a few weeks' expe- 

 rience and knowledge of the dangers which sur- 

 round them. On these lochs, which are tolerably 

 quiet, a flock generally remains during the whole 

 winter. The feeding is good, and when anything 

 disturbs them, the sands of the bay oflfer them a 

 sure refuge. I seldom interfere with them, unless 

 I happen to want one for any purpose ; and in 

 reward for this forbearance I have the pleasure of 

 seeing them every day in nearly the same part of 

 the water, either feeding on the plants or pluming 

 themselves on the small banks and islands. Their 

 favourite loch is, of course, the one least accessible 

 to any enemy. 



The flesh of the wild swan, at least of those who 

 feed inland, is perfectly free from all strong and 

 unpleasant flavour, their food consisting almost 

 wholly of a kind of water-grass which has a 

 bulbous root. In these lochs there is a good 

 supply of this plant, and the swans become very fat, 

 so much so as to make it exceedingly difficult to 

 preserve the skins, the only part of them which I put 

 to any use. When the feathers are picked out, there 

 remains on the skin a great thickness of very beau- 



