﻿58 ANATID.E. 



margin, until they have saturated them with water, since 

 they are invariably seen, as soon as they have filled their 

 bills with grasses, to dip their beaks into the stream. 



We believe that Swans are not so destructive anion sr fish 

 as they are among their spawn, since their movements are 

 too measured and deliberate to enable them to secure such 

 active prey, although their relish for fish may be observed 

 and proved whenever a fisherman casts the small dead bait 

 from his boat's well. 



The entire length of the Mute Swan is from four feet 

 eight inches to five feet ; its weight about thirty pounds. 



The entire plumage is white ; the head and neck more 

 or less tinged with rust-colour, more so in the spring of 

 the year than at other times ; the nail on the beak, the edges 

 of the mandibles, the base, and the edge of the nostril, as 

 well as the lore to the eyes and tubercle are jet black ; the 

 beak itself yellowish red ; the legs and toes black ; the eyes 

 dark brown. 



The egg figured 239 is that of the Mute Swan. 



