571 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 



SWANS. 



The Swans, like the Wild Gccse and Ducks, have a very wide range, being found in all but 

 actually equatorial regions. Two species at least are common to both Europe and America, 

 besides others more local in their character; but Australia, as might have been expected from its 

 isolated position, has a well-marked species of its own. Every race (we believe without exception) 

 is naturally migratory in its habits, though many individuals will remain, especially in the more 

 temperate regions, in the same localities throughout the year, only taking short flights to and fro. 

 In emigration they assume more or less constantly the V-shaped phalanx, which thus seems 

 common to all the aquatic birds. Their powers of flight are considerable when once fairly raised in 

 the air, but the rising appears to be difficult and awkward. They almost always, if not invariably, 

 rise from the water, striking down with both wings and feet, and thus proceeding, half flying and 

 half splashing, for some twenty or thirty yards before they can fairly raise themselves ; after which, 

 however, they frequently attain a great height, Franklin stating that he has seen them in the Polar 

 regions several thousand feet above the earth. They always descend also into the water, 

 approaching it in a slanting direction, and stretching out their broad webbed feet to check their 

 speed at the moment they enter the familiar element. 



Swans generally pair for life, their whole behaviour offering a beautiful example of conjugal 

 fidelity. The two birds show the greatest affection for each other, always swimming in company, 

 and caressing one another with their bills and necks in the most interesting manner ; and should 

 either be attacked, the other will show fight in the most vigorous manner, though, of course, the 

 male is the most powerful and courageous. Both birds help to prepare the nest, the male chiefly 

 gathering the materials, while the female seems to take the chief part in the actual construction. 

 A swan's nest is an enormous affair, being built up of a large mass of coarse water-plants as a 

 foundation, which is lined with finer grasses. In this six to nine eggs are generally laid, which are, 

 of course, very thick in the shell, and generally of a dirty white colour, sometimes dirty pale green. 

 The time of incubation has been differently stated, but we believe Bechstein to be right in fixing 

 it at thirty-five days, though some have said forty-two. The young when hatched are very 

 thickly covered with down, and are generally taken to the water by the mother when only a day 

 or two old. There they are watched over by both parents with the greatest care until grown 

 enough to provide for themselves. 



A brief description of the principal varieties of swans will be sufficient. 



THE MUTE SWAN. — This species {Cygnns olor) is that so well-known upon our lakes and 

 other waters as an ornamental bird, and is a native of Northern Asia and Europe. It is at once 

 the largest and most graceful in outlines of all the swans, the neck being very long and slender. 

 The bill of this swan is red, and the large protuberance at the base black ; the eye brown, the legs 

 and feet brownish or blackish-grey, and the plumage all over a pure and spotless white. Its voice 



