MUTK SWAN. 
CVONUS OLOR. 
TnouGii this species does not give utterance to loud cries like the Wliooper, the name of Mute Swan appears 
scarcely applicable ; let any one go alloat in a boat and drive before them the male and female with their 
brood, and they will learn whether the old birds cannot express their bad temper and indignation for the 
intruders by making a considerable noise. In Yari’cll it is stated that “ Swans were first brought into 
England from Cyprus by llichard I., who began his reign in 1189 ; and they are particularly mentioned in 
a MS. of the time of Edward I. (1272).” As tliis species has never been known to breed in a wild state 
in this country, it is probable that all our residents are the stock from the imported birds ; possibly, 
however, as these Swans rear their young in Denmai*k and the south of Sweden, a straggler may occasionally 
visit our shores, as great numbers of perfect-tvinged birds are shot on the large pieces of water in several of 
the southern and eastern counties in severe weather. 
As this species finds a jfiace in every work on British birds I have examined, it is inserted in ‘ Rough 
Notes at different times I shot many full- winged birds that had never been pinioned or marked, which 
may have either escaped from some preserved water, owing to neglect, or made their way across the North Sea 
to our shores. Those I secured as specimens Avere a remarkably large and fine pair, that had spent their 
lives in peace and quietness, the sole occupants for many years of Somerton Broad, and were not known 
to have reared any young within the memory of those who gave me the information concerning them. 
They were shot on the 9th of November, 1871 — the male weighing 32 lbs.* and the female 18 lbs., and both 
exhibiting most beautiful plumage. Among swanherds and those Avho are supposed to he learned in the 
management of this species the male is called a “ Cob,” the female a “ Ben,” and tlie young are generally 
known in all parts of the country as “ Cygnets.” I do not undertake to give all tlie changes through 
which this species passes during its course towards maturity ; but I am of opinion that they take longer than 
the end of the second year, which is the time allotted to them in Yarrell, to reach the perfect adult dress and 
the full development of the colouring and protuberances on the beak. In the fourth edition of the last- 
mentioned work we are told, “ The black tubercle at the base of the beak is called the berry, and a Swan 
Avithout any mark on the beak is said to be clear billed.” 
The folloAAung extracts from my notes refer to Swans procured on the Norfolk Broads as Avell as to 
observations made in that part of the country concerning the behaviour of the unruly natives of the 
district : — 
“November 29th, 1872. The keeper of Ilickling aaTio had charge of the SAvans on the Broad and all 
the adjoining pieces of water had during the autumn put off the marking and pinioning of the Cygnets 
till they were strong enough to get on Aving, and he Avas unable to capture them and perform the operation. 
The consequence Avas that the lawless gunners of the neighbourliood had gradually killed them doAvu, till 
* This may be considered a very heavy bird, 28 lbs. and 30 lbs. being given by one or two authors as the ordinary' weight of the old male. 
