﻿MUTE SWAN. 57 



an increase in the height of the water above the usual average 

 is a safe prophecy. 



In a wild state the Mute Swan is said to be very shy, 

 although the domesticated subjects are generally tame enough, 

 and sometimes troublesome to fishermen and persons whose 

 occupations are by the water side. At some seasons, how- 

 ever, they are formidable, on account of their strength and 

 pugnacity ; we know an instance of a Mute Swan, which was 

 kept on a piece of water in a park, attacking a man with 

 such fury as to break his arm with a blow from his powerful 

 wing : and we lately witnessed a swan face a spaniel dog 

 with such determination, as to drive the animal from the 

 spot. 



The call-note of the Mute Swan sounds like the word 

 maul, maid ! expressed in a nasal, but gentle tone. The 

 sound produced by the strong pinions of this bird when 

 flying is very loud, and may be heard at a great distance. 



Although apparently naturalized in some parts of Britain, 

 namely on the river Trent and elsewhere, where they are 

 said not to be under the dominion of any master, the Mute 

 Swan does not appear to be on the Thames so entirely inde- 

 pendent, since it is considered expedient in severe winters to 

 house and feed these creatures, under the impression that 

 when there is much ice in the river they are unable to 

 obtain their food. Under these circumstances, when many 

 are collected together in a barn, it is very interesting to 

 observe, at feeding time, with what solicitude each male 

 watches for the interest of his own mate and young ones, 

 and takes care that they are well served before he partakes 

 of any food himself. 



While watching Swans feeding as they float along by the 

 banks of the river, we have noticed that they seem unable 

 to swallow the grass and herbs that they crop along the 



