80 FISH HATCHING. 



swans, of course there is none batched to 

 replace the fish that are caught. — Feancis 

 Francis." 



Besides the above, I have letters innumer- 

 able on the same point, aU agreeing that the 

 swans should be considerably thinned. 



The Hon. Spencer Ponsonby tells me that 

 the swans, in consequence of these and other 

 representations, were diminished in quantity, 

 but they sadly want looking after again. 

 Never did I feel so much pleased as when, 

 in the autumn of last year, I saw a boat-load 

 of these feathered poachers floating down 

 the river, each one in a basket all to 

 himself, the result of a swan-hopping ex- 

 pedition.* The swans belong, I beheve. 



* A great many of tliese swans were sent to Australia, and I 

 hope they may he soon joined hy their relatives. 



