Swans. 
407 
stately in its movements while on the water, moving about with no apparent effort in any desired direction. 
They breed in captivity, no difificulty arising on that score if not interfered with, the young cygnets being 
extremely hardy and vigorous. The male is of a more or less overbearing disposition towards the smaller 
tribes of waterfowl inhabiting the pond or lake, and it is better to allow them a sheet of water partitioned off 
from other ornamental varieties. 
The Black -Necked or Chilian Swan is indigenous to South America. The bill of this variety is of 
a leaden hue, with an extra large protuberance at the base, red in colour ; the eyes are brownish, the legs and 
feet reddish-orange. The plumage of head and neck is a jet black, relieved by a narrow stripe or streak of 
white across the eyes, the rest of the body plumage being pure spotless white. This swan has a distinct 
carriage of the neck whilst swimming, being held erect and almost straight. They are easily domesticated, 
breeding well, the young cygnets growing at a very fast rate. 
Very little instructions or advice can be given on the management of Swans. They can do this better 
themselves, and, in fact, will not brook interference during the process of incubation ; and, as they are so 
large and powerful, any interference on the part of man becomes dangerous. The birds should occasionally 
be given a little grain, and when the young cygnets are hatched food such as coarse oatmeal or soaked 
biscuit should be placed in troughs containing water, where their privacy will not be intruded upon, and 
which they can obtain at will. It is possible to hatch the eggs under geese. By this means the cygnets 
would be brought up much tamer, but there is always great danger attached to the procuring of the eggs 
from the natural nest. The parent birds will attack anything that approaches. A blow from their wing 
would break a man's arm, so that it is surrounded with some difficulty, and is a risky proceeding. 
