REPLENISHING THE EARTH 67 



The water and surroundings are in every 

 way suited to a pair of birds together with 

 their brood for the summer, when the weed is 

 abundant, but the place cannot permanently 

 accommodate a number of these large birds, 

 therefore the young must be sent off elsewhere 

 to shift for themselves. 



A law of nature decrees that as each genera- 

 tion comes into existence it shall be seasonally 

 scattered and distributed broadcast in order 

 that gaps may be filled and the earth replen- 

 ished. The old swans, in the meanwhile, have 

 no conscious knowledge of these, nature's 

 great schemes, but being one with nature are 

 subconsciously impressed to act in certain 

 ways at definite times and seasons. This they 

 do with the utmost regularity and punctu- 

 ality, not only swans but all wild-life, animal 

 and vegetable alike. 



Swans are "exposers"; they do not seek 

 protection under cover, but face an enemy 

 boldly in the open even to the point of attack, 

 and at the breeding season clear the precincts 

 of the nest of every living creature. So fierce 

 are they when engaged with their domestic 

 affairs that to approach the nest is a matter of 

 some danger ; but though on occasion roused 

 to fits of anger, the mated (for Ufe) couple show 

 great affection and attachment for each other. 



