PLATE CCXLIV. 



Tame Swan, All>i)i-. ill, ^, ()G.— Dr. Zool 11. iV". 265- t. (SO. 

 Mute Swan, Arft. Zool 11. iV°. 470. 



Lrt/^, VI. /3. 456. 2. 



The Mute Swan occurs in a wild ftate in Siberia and Ruffia, 

 whence it migrates foutherly in the winter ; in a ftate of domeftica- 

 tion it is very generally diffufed over Europe and Afia. — In England 

 the Swan is under tJie prote6lion of penal laws and ftatutes, and hence 

 there are few of our principal rivers entirely deftitute of this noble 

 bird, 



" The pride of filver ftreams." 



The Swan was formerly held in high efteem for the table, and the 

 Cygnets or young Swans are yet in fome requeft in England. In 

 Ruflia the older birds are in as great repute for the luxurious repaft 

 as they were formerly in England, where no great feaft or public en- 

 tertainment was thought complete without at leaft one of them upon 

 the table. The flelh of the Swan is of a deep red, and of a rich and 

 full flavour, w ithout any ill tafte even in the adult ftate : we have 

 eaten of it and confider it not amifs. 



1 hefe birds feed on filh, aquatic infe6i:s^ plants of various kinds 

 that grow in the water, as the nymphea, &c. and alfo grafs. Though 

 nothing can furpafs the graceful dignity of its motions when failing 

 upon the fcarcely rippled furface of the lake, it walks with an awkward 

 gait, and appears to peculiar difadvantage when on the land. 



Swans 



