90 On the Occurrence of some of the Rarer Species of Birds 



species of our wild Geese, preferring- the vicinity of inland rivers 

 and lakes. This bird closes the list of Geese that I can hear anything 

 of in our district ; and though some of the occurrences may be open 

 to question, as to whether they can be considered lawfully to be 

 those of genuine wild birds, yet it is well to mention them, lest we 

 thin our ranks more than there is any real occasion to do. 



Cygnus Olor. " Mute Swan." We come now to a bird which is 

 indisputably the finest of all our water birds. Of all the Anatidaa, 

 even of those of his own genus, the Mute Swan is "facile princeps" 

 both in pureness of colouring and in gracefulness and power of form. 

 Even the most uninterested cannot but recognise it as being the 

 monarch of the waters ; while the most unobservant cannot but 

 have stopped to note the power of its stroke, as it breasts the 

 water with arched wings and lowered neck, its head being nearly 

 buried amid the ruffling of its snow-white plumage, as if in 

 readiness to spring on and avenge any intruder on its chosen 

 domain. They are very heavy birds, weighing as much as thirty 

 pounds or so, and as cygnets are supposed to be good for the table, 

 though from my own experience I cannot verify the fact, as in the 

 only opportunity I have had of trying one, I found the flesh both 

 tough and tasteless, though served up carefully from an Oxford 

 buttery. During the breeding season they will defend their nest 

 with great determination ; and the force of their pinions in the 

 water is so great as to enable them to beat off, or even drown, the 

 dog or fox that may unwisely venture to assail them. At one time 

 there used to be a great many of these birds about our river, as 

 they were preserved by Lord Radnor, at Longford Castle, and their 

 nests were scattered over the meadows in various plaees. One was 

 built in the middle of the path at the side of our chief stream, which 

 they were not willing at all times to let you pass ; but it is not on 

 the land but hi the water that they are truly formidable, where 

 their great strength renders them by no means a despicable foe. 

 In flying you can hear the creak of their pinions at a great distance, 

 and, as often as not, I have first become aware of their presence by 

 hearing, not by sight. Some time ago I came across a very in- 

 teresting description of the Abbotsbury and Weymouth swanneries, 



