658 CLASS AVES. 



and even the other intestines, are very long. The indenta- 

 tions of their bill, in all probability, serve to cut these sub- 

 stances, and at the same time to cause an ejection of the 

 water taken in with them. They also eat frogs, leeches, and, 

 many naturalists add, fishes ; but this point is contested by 

 others. 



These birds are monogamous. They nestle on the ground, 

 at the edges of waters, and the young quit the nest, swim, and 

 eat immediately when they are born. The swans, which 

 swim with such facility that a man walking rapidly on the 

 shore can scarcely follow them, also fly with much force and 

 lightness, and can undertake long voyages. The motion of 

 their wings produces a sonorous arid harmonious sound, which 

 is heard at a considerable distance, and to which Sonnini is 

 inclined to attribute the ancient fable respecting their song. 

 Their social character induces them to live in the company of 

 their fellows, and, both on the water and in the air, they are 

 always seen in flocks. 



The palmipedes, in general, are accustomed to polish their 

 feathers, to render them impermeable to water ; but the 

 swans make a most assiduous toilet, from which nothing is 

 capable of turning their attention, except the maternal cares 

 of the female, when she is hatching. It has been asserted, 

 that the mode in which the swans comport themselves on the 

 water, is indicative of the changes of temperature; that 

 when they plunge one half of their body in the water, it is a 

 sign of fine weather, and a contrary sign when they make the 

 water splash around them and fall like a little mist. 



The life of the swan appears to extend beyond a century. 

 This longevity seems a natural sequel to the length of the 

 incubation, and the time which elapses before they acquire 

 their full development. Their flesh is black and hard, and 

 the ancients doubtless made use of it in their feasts, only for 

 the purposes of ostentation. Their down, of such exquisite 



