THE BIRDS. 



525 



the course of a year. Our swans are only fed in the spring, but it 

 is found to be a good plan to give them soaked biscuit from the 

 middle of January till May, as a female swan once died during the 

 period of nidification and incubation, possibly from inadequate food. 



Mr. Frank Buckland, speaking of swans in relation to the destruc- 

 tion of the spawn of fish, says, " Found guilty." As far, however, 

 as the destruction of trout spawn is concerned, I say, " Innocent," as 

 I have no reason to suspect that my swans have ever touched the 

 trout spawn- beds. 



" The stately- sailing swan 

 Gives out his snowy plumage to the gale ; 

 And arching proud his neck, with oary feet 

 Bears forward fierce, and guards his osier-isle, 

 Protective of his young." — Thomson's Seasons. 



We keep a few white Call Ducks on the water, which are amusing 

 on account of their vivacity. The noise they make is astonishing, 

 and they are useful to decoy down wild duck, widgeon, and teal as 

 they pass over. Their bills are highly endowed with nerves, so that 



Fic. 1126. — ^Teal. 



Fig. 1125. — Wild Duck. 



when they put their heads under water they can find and success- 

 fully extract every ovum from the spawn-bed. For this reason, wherever 

 trout are of importance ducks should be prevented from visiting the 

 water. It is the female bird whose noisy call apparently attracts and 

 decoys the wild bird. The note of the drake is less distinct— being 



