195 
few weeks after, and are of the same grey- 
ish colour, and it is not till eighteen 
months, or two years have elapsed that 
these birds are invested with their full plu- 
mage. They continue to follow their mo- 
ther till the month of November, when 
they are chased away by the adult males, 
who wish to enjoy exclusively the compa- 
ny of the females. These young birds ex- 
iled from their family, unite in one body, 
and do not separate till they pair. 
The habits of the Swan are extremely 
peaceful, except in the defence of the fe- 
male, or her young, or when a rival intrudes 
on the possession of his Mistress. "He 
then forgets (says Buffon) his mildness, be- 
comes ferocious, and fights with obstinate 
rancour ; and a whole day is often insuffi- 
cient to terminate the quarrel. They be- 
gin with striking violently their wings, 
then close, and persist till commonly one 
of them is killed ; for they strive to stifle 
each other by locking the neck, and for- 
cibly holding the head under water." 
Although the epithet Tame has been 
given to this species, it cannot be said to be 
