SWAN UPPING 



187 



possible contingency that could arise in dispute 

 regarding ownership and the proper protection of 

 swans. The law relating to these birds, as appears 

 by Statutes of Edward IV. and Henry VII., was 

 very severe. Any person killing a swan, or even 

 driving one away from his own ground if offering 

 to breed there, was liable to a year's imprisonment. 



THAMES SWAKS. 



and fine, at the king's pleasure, of 13s. 4d. ; and any- 

 one stealing the eggs incurred a penalty of 13s. 4d. 

 for every e^g taken. If a dog drove a sitting 

 swan off her nest, his master forfeited 13s. 4d. ; and 

 if the dog killed the swan, his owner had to pay 

 40s., whether he was present or not. By way of 

 still further protecting swans in the nesting time, no 

 one was permitted to hunt ducks or other waterfowl 



