PLATE CCXLIV. 



Swans build their nefts in the high grafs near the water, laying from 

 fix to eight eggs which are of a large fize and whitifti colour, and are 

 faid to be depofited in fucceffion, one every other day : the females 

 cover the eggs for the fpace of two months before they hatch. They 

 are feen in all their ftages of growth upon the river Thames, where 

 they are efteemed royal property, and are under the prote6i;ion of 

 the corporation of the city of London. At certain appointed periods 

 the compames are rowed up in the city barges in great ftate to infpe6l 

 the brood, a ceremony that has obtained the name of Simn-hopping, 

 It need be fcarcely added, that fteahng the eggs of the Swan is 

 felony. 



When it has attained its full growth the Swan is about five feet in 

 length, or rather more, the weight twenty-five pounds : the young 

 birds are brown, and do not affume the perfect whitenefs of their 

 plumage till they have become of pretty confiderable fize. 



VOL.X. 



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