A Sociable Cygnet.



197



offered to them out of our bauds eagerly and greedily and

would come close up to the bank whenever they caught sight of

11s at any time of the day, or heard our voices. They appeared

happy and contented with their lot for three or four months,

when suddenly, one morning, the lesser of the two rose up from

the water and winged its way over the tops of the trees to the

Sea which is within easy distance of this place. It was seen or

reported to have been seen from time to time for a few weeks

but, though efforts were made to re-capture the truant, they were

unsuccessful and he probably joined company with the flocks of

Wild Swans which frequent this coast and winter in Strangford

Tough.


Both these Cj^gnets were quite young when they came to

us, without a single white feather in their plumage and remark¬

ably strong and well grown ; they came from the South of

England. After the desertion of his companion the remaining

bird became restless and discontented, and contrary to his usual

habits, was continually on land, following his owner about the

grounds, coming up to the stable yard some little distance from

the water, and to the front of the house; waiting for him in the

drive and even mounting the rather steep six or seven stone steps

up to the hall door and coining into the hall itself. If no one

appeared the Swan would take up a position on the grass, after

descending the steps with care and labour, and wait below the

study window uttering its curious hoarse note till it attracted

attention. It was a strange sight to watch this big bird, with its

awkward ungainly movements when on land, struggling valiantly

to keep up with its master along the gravel walks and apparently

quite happy while close to him ! though once or twice it was

found alone in the village nearly a mile from the lake and also

in the kitchen garden contemplating the men at work. Later in

the year when an accident confined his master to the house it

gave up these excursions and returned to the water where it

lives and sails about majestically and contentedly, always coming

up on land to be fed and greet its friends. It is on fairly good

terms with a pair of Canadian Geese, White Call-Ducks and

others, but showing symptons of an overbearing and tyrannical

spirit as witnessed lately in its treatment of a young Cygnet



