DUCK. 21.9 



general table of provisions fit for a nobleman's house,* but as it is 

 not said to be peculiar to any season, no doubt it must be only at 

 very uncertain times, that it could be procured. 



Colonel Montagu says, that a Hooper Swan, which he bred up 

 from very young, turned out to be a female, and that having put it 

 to a small white China Gander, they seem to be much attached, but 

 doubts when any connexion will take place. He adds, that " it is 

 " a most domestic, sweet-tempered creature ; follows me about the 

 " field ; eats out of my hand, and expresses great pleasure on my 

 " approach, by its plaintive notes, and curious gesticulations ; nod- 

 " ding the head, and raising the wings something like the Mute 

 ." Species; and is a most elegant bird." 



A female, full-grown bird, shot near Bridgewater, in 1805, got 

 the better of the wound, and became perfectly tame, mixing with 

 the other birds, in the poultry yard.f 



2.— LESSER SWAN. 



THIS is not so large as the Hooping Swan, nearer that of the 

 China Goose, but much more slender, and longer in the neck. The 

 bill black, flat as in the Swan, with a black knob at the base, as in 

 the Mute Swan, but not a projection on the forehead like the China 

 Goose ; in fact, it imitates the Wild Swan in miniature. The legs 

 are also black, and broader than those of the Goose; the plumage 

 perfectly white. 



This was bought out of a collection, called the Bath Museum, 

 and is evidently a Swan ; but whether distinct as a species, or some 

 chance, or mixed breed, cannot be determined. 



A specimen of the above in the collection of the Rev. Mr. 

 Vaughan, at Aveton Giftard, Devon. 



* Archceol. xiii. p. 368. t Orn. Diet. 



F f2 



