THE DOMESTIC SWAN. 



125 



that it is little better in appearance than one of 

 network composition. 



Where swans are kept on a moderately-sized 

 sheet of water, the old ones, as spring ap- 

 proaches, begin to pursue their own brood with 

 a ferocity scarcely conceivable. It is an un- 

 ceasing pursuit, both night and day ; till at 

 last, the poor fugitives, worn out with exertion, 

 betake themselves to the land, where the un- 

 natural parents allow them to stay ; and then 

 desist from further persecution, until the young 

 ones return to the water. To curb these ran- 

 corous proceedings on the part of the parent 

 birds, I cut through the web of their feet ; and 

 this at once diminished their powers of speed. 

 The young birds soon perceived the change 

 in their favour, and profited by it; for, on 

 finding that they could easily outswim their 

 pursuing parents, they set their fury at naught, 

 and kept out of their reach with very little 

 exertion. 



Where the domestic swan is free from every 

 species of molestation, it becomes exceedingly 

 tame, and passes by far the greater part of its 

 time out of the water. Here no idle boys 

 molest the swans ; no petted dogs pursue them ; 



