259 
August, the most backward aud smallest cygnet died : it is the one 
1 now exhibit, and agrees as to plumage with Mr. Gurney’s descrip- 
tion on the 27tli July : you will perceive that the tail feathers 
which are now showing are pale yellowish buff, and that the wing 
coverts are the same colour, all the other parts from which the 
down has not yet been moulted are pure white. On the 20th of 
August I again saw the three cygnets; they had then assumed 
nearly all their feathers, and were more than half grown : the 
colour was white, apparently stained or sullied by a yellowish tint, 
which was strongest on the wing coverts ; feet pale ash colour, and 
beak a purplish flesh colour, differing entirely from the lead colour 
of the bill in the young mute swan of the same age. The colour 
of the feet did not differ greatly from that of the young of the 
mute swan, and 1 agree with Mr. Stevenson, that at no stage of 
growth is this a character to be depended upon. When the 
breeze lifted the feathers upon the back of the young birds the buff 
tinge was more visible. There were also several peculiarities about 
the head, with which although very important, I will not trouble you. 
1 think it may be taken as proved, that there is a swan 
which produces white, or nearly white cygnets. With regard to 
Prof. Westerman’s remarks to Mr. Gurney, that he had known a 
brood of mixed cygnets in Holland, and another instance recorded 
in the ‘ Field,’ for July 8th, 1871, in which a pair of swans in Wales 
produced three white cygnets in a brood of the usual colour in one 
year, and a single one in another — the only instances of mixed broods 
I have ever heard of — I would say, that I have very little doubt one 
of the parents in each case was a Polish bird, or that they were of 
mixed blood. From the fact of more than one Polish Swan killed 
in this neighbourhood having been partially pinioned, I am led 
to believe, that although others have been undoubtedly wild 
specimens, there are birds of this species at large on our waters 
unknown to their owners; and that various degrees of infusion of 
Polish blood may account for individuals which I have observed 
in several ornamental waters partaking more or less of the cha- 
racters of both species. Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., has told me of 
such birds on the Serpentine, and at Gatton park ; I have noticed 
others, and one on the lake in Battersea park, so for as I had an 
opportunity of observing it, appeared to me to be almost a pure 
Polander. 
Y 
