WATERFOWL 263 



not SO hardy to stand cold winters, and their goslings 

 partake of their nervous, excitable nature, and do not 

 take on flesh, or fatten, as readily. However, where 

 size of goslings is of little importance, or where a 

 medium sized bird is desired, and especially where no 

 preference is shown whether goslings dress white or 

 dark, or whether the bills or legs are yellow or dark, 

 the Brown Chinas, bred pure, will be the most profit- 

 able of all breeds; their sharp voice will be a draw- 

 back. — [Samuel Cushman in Farm Poultry. 



BREEDING AND KEEPING SWANS 



Swans are the most graceful of all breeds of 

 waterfowl and where one wishes to beautify, a pond 

 they add more than any other breed to the scenery. 

 Their keeping is easy, provided surroundings are con- 

 genial. Ponds that are freshly fed by springs and that 

 have shallow banks, covered with vegetation, are their 

 favorite abiding places. Make an artificial float, cov- 

 ered with a small, partly uncovered house, and anchor 

 the same in the middle of the pond, and you have the 

 best kind of breeding place for them. Cover it three 

 inches deep with straw and then allow their instinct to 

 do the rest. 



Swans mate in pairs and the female, if more than 

 two years old, is a good persistent sitter and watchful 

 mother. She will take her young on the water within 

 two days after hatching and will guard their every 

 movement with maternal care. Feed them three times 

 daily with chopped greens, such as lettuce, watercress 

 and young rye, and when five days old add some finely 

 broken bread. Throw this in the water, teach them a 

 certain call, and they will soon learn to come to you 

 for their feed. When four weeks old wheat, buckwheat 



