OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 325 



again and again, flying over their fallen companions, and showing 

 the greatest reluctance to quit the place. The Mute Swan is a 

 much more graceful bird in the water than either of its two 

 preceding congeners, and its neck is often curved into beautiful 

 lines. It feeds, however, in much the same manner, both whilst 

 on land and swimming in the water. This food consists of 

 aquatic plants and grass, insects and their larvse, mollusks, and 

 frogs. The bird is also said to eat fish spawn, and I have known 

 it devour small fish. In a state of domestication the Mute Swan, 

 as its name implies, is a very silent bird, only making a low 

 hissing noise, especially when excited or angry, but wild 

 individuals are said to utter a loud, trumpet-like cry similar to the 

 note of the Hooper. 



Nidification. — The breeding season of wild Mute Swans 

 commences in May. Both tame and wild birds appear to pair 

 for life, and to return each season to a favourite nesting place, 

 although they usually make a new nest every year, but in some 

 cases repair the old one. This is usually made on the ground on 

 an island in a dense thicket, or amongst tall grass and other 

 aquatic vegetation, and is a huge pile of dead grass, rushes, 

 reeds, and any other rubbish the birds can collect in the 

 neighbourhood. As incubation advances the nest is increased 

 in bulk, especially when in a district subject to sudden inunda- 

 tion. Many nests are said to be built together in some localities. 

 The eggs are from five to eight in number, old birds laying from 

 eight to twelve. They are greenish white or very pale green, 

 rough in texture, and with little or no gloss. They measure on 

 an average 4-5 inches in length by 3*0 inches in breadth. Incu- 

 bation, performed by the female, lasts from five to six weeks. 

 Only one brood is reared in the year. 



Diagnostic Characters. — Cygnus, with the tail wedge- 

 shaped and long, and with the lores and frontal tubercle black. 

 Length, 60 inches. 



