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Chapter XLVIII. 
SWANS. 
The Swan has a very wide range, being found pretty well throughout the whole world, and we in Australia 
have a well-marked and quite distinct species entirely indigenous to this country. Swans are migratory in 
their habits, though occasionally individual specimens will remain in the same localities throughout the year. 
They have a seeming difficulty in rising from the water when startled, half flying and half walking, 
and striking the water with feet and wings for some distance before they can properly rise. When on the 
wing their powers of flight are considerable. When again descending they gradually approach their 
favourite element in an oblique direction, striking the water with feet spread out, to check their speed, 
often skimming along, partly on the surface, for twenty yards or more. Swans are monogamous in their 
habits, generally pairing for life, exhibiting the greatest affection for each other, and defending one another 
in the most courageous manner. 
In preparing the nest both take a part, the male collecting all of the materials used in the formation, the 
female constructing the nest. The nest is a very large affair, composed principally of water plants, lined 
inside with finer grass. The eggs are generally laid from six to nine in number, which are very thick in the 
shell, and vary in colour from a dirty white to pale green. Some difference of opinion exists as to time of 
incubation, some authorities stating thirty-five or thirty-six days, others up to forty-two. The young cygnets 
when hatched are covered with down, and are, as a rule, taken to the water when but a day or two old, the 
parents taking the greatest care and interest in their welfare until they have grown sufficiently to look after 
themselves. 
The Mute Swan, or, as it is generally known, the White Swan, is indigenous to Northern Asia and 
Europe, but has been acclimatised throughout the world. This variety is the most shapely and graceful of 
the Swan tribe, the bill being red, the large protuberance at the base of the bill being black ; the eyes are 
brown, the feet of a brownish-grey colour, the body plumage throughout being a spotless pure white. Its 
name is a misnomer, as the voice is very low and soft, with a peculiarly soothing, melancholy tone. The 
young cygnets when hatched are covered with grey down. There is another variety which closely resembles 
the Mute Swan in appearance ; this is the Polish Swan. The formation of the cranium, however, is slightly 
different, and the young ones hatch white, not grey, so that in all probability they are a distinct variety. 
The Whistling Swan is of smaller size than the Mute or White Swan, and differs in having a yellow 
bill, without the large protuberance at the base. The neck is much shorter and thicker, its chief feature being 
the peculiar musical voice that this bird possesses. A number of these birds in company passing through the 
air give forth a truly delightful sound, resembling the notes of a violin, or silvery, trumpet-like sounds heard 
at a distance, being very tuneful and melancholy. 
Bewick's Swan is, again, a still smaller white bird. The neck is moderate in length, but very slender. 
This bird is very rare, and is of an exceedingly shy and timid disposition, so much so that it has never been 
known to breed in captivity. 
The Black Swan is indigenous to Australia, but is now known as well as the Mute Swan. No 
difficulty arises in acclimatising them, and they may be found throughout Europe in the different Zoological 
Gardens and private parks. The bill of the Black Swan is red, tipped with white; the eyes, bright vivid red ; 
the legs and feet, black ; the body plumage, a dull black; the edges of the majority of the feathers shading off 
to a paler tint. This bird has a very graceful outline, long, fine, and slender neck, and is very graceful and 
