80 THE SWAN. 



with domestic economy, and producing a number of our conve- 

 niencies and comforts, this part of the feathered world affords a 

 wide field for observation; of which, however, we shall at pres- 

 ent give but a glance ; and suggest at the same time a few lead- 

 ing reflections, which may be extended and multiplied into a va- 

 riety of pleasing combinations. 



THE GOOSE KIND 



Constitutes a useful class of volatiles, some of which have from 

 time immemorial been reclaimed from a state of nature, and 

 seem pleased with their dependence on man, whose care for their 

 support and protection they amply repay. At the head of this 

 important class stand the swan, the goose, and the duck, of 

 which the first is not less admirable for its elegance than the two 

 latter are estimable on account of their utility. 



THE SWAN 



Is the most majestic and picturesque of all birds that swim in 

 the waters. When it exhibits itself smoothly sailing along the 

 stream, displaying its graceful attitudes, and moving forward 

 without the smallest effort, a more beautiful figure can scarcely 

 be found within the range of animated nature. This elegant 

 bird admits of two varieties, the wild and the tame swan; the for- 

 mer has a loud cry, which may be heard at a great distance ; but 

 the latter seldom emits any sound. The wild swan is smaller 

 by about one-fourth than the tame kind, and also of a different 

 colour, its back and the tips of its wings being ash-coloured; 

 while the tame swan is remarkable for the delicate and uniform 

 whiteness of its whole plumage. In Cumberland county, in 

 New-Holland, black swans are very common, and three of the 

 species were in 1006 exhibited at Exeter 'Change, London. 



The wild swan is a native of the arctic regions, and visits 

 more temperate climates only when compelled by the severity 

 of the cold. During the summer season they frequent the lakes 

 of Lapland, in common with the numerous flocks of other aquatic 

 fowl ; there also it breeds and rears its young. Of the tame swan, 

 any minute description is unnecessary ; to give some idea of its 

 size, it is sufficient to say, that it grows to the weight of up- 

 wards of twenty pounds. Its majestic appearance has been 

 already noticed; and it is not less remarkable for the delicacy 

 of its appetite than the elegance of its form: its food consists of 

 corn, with herbs and roots that grow in the water, or are found 

 near the margin. It prepares its nest in some retired part of 

 the bank or in some islet in the stream, and lays seven or eight 

 eggs, white and much longer than those of the goose. It sits 

 two months, and the young, when first excluded, are ash- 



