224 



WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS chap, xxiv 



the track of her companions if they have gone to any adjoining 

 water. 



Though, as I have said, not so graceful in the water as 

 their tame relatives, nothing can be more splendid, than the 

 flight of a flock of wild swans, as they pass over your head with 

 their transparently white pinions, and uttering their far-sounding 

 and musical trumpeting^ which is often heard before the birds 

 come into sight. 



I never ate a wild swan, but am told that their flesh, though 

 dark-coloured, has not the least rank taste, like that of some 

 water-fowl, but, on the contrary, is very palatable, and worthy 

 of being cooked. From their food, which consists wholly of 

 flavourless grasses, I can easily suppose that they may be as 

 good if not better eating than the mallard or any other kind 

 of wild duck, which all, more or less, feed on rank weeds, as well 

 as on worms and a variety of other unclean food. 



SWANS IN THE BAY 



