TIIK nOOPEH. 
233 
it would liurry with eagerness ; but it refused to respond for 
several weeks after having once been disappointed. It was 
remarkably attached to one of the elder boys, by whom it was 
treated with more than ordinary kindness, but who, poor fel- 
low, doubtless thought that a Iriendship might occasionally 
prove too warm, when, on entering the kirk rather behind time 
one Sunday, he was horrihed on making the discovery that his 
favourite had followed him to his seat. 
Among the bird’s few antipathies, the chief one was its dislike 
to bare feet, whether upon man, woman, or child, and upon such 
it would occasionally make serious attacks with its bill. Its 
own feet, it may here be observed, were not disfigured by any of 
the marks previously referred to, thus inducing the conclusion 
that it had not escaped from confinement. It also greatly dis- 
liked the colour of scarlet. This, however, was attributable to 
the fact that, soon after its capture, a woman, wishing to remove 
it from its corner, flung a scarlet petticoat over it, and while 
thus bewildered and entangled it was carried away. 
It seldom ventured under a roof in the summer-time, but at 
other seasons it nearly always slept in the byre, in winter keep- 
ing near a pony which then occupied a corner, and to which the 
Swan gradually became strongly attached. Possibly the corn, 
of which the pony received an occasional allowance, was an at- 
traction ; but it is certain that the bird was always restless 
during the pony’s absence, and always evinced unmistakable 
signs of joy on its return. It disliked extremes either of cold 
or heat, and hence it would never remain out in the snow ; 
neither could it endure the warmth of the cottage fire. When 
a few days’ hot weather chanced to occur, it usually betook itself 
to the sea, keeping under the shadow of the rocks as much as 
possible. Often in the months of autumn and early spring the 
families used to be awakened by its trumpeting cries ; and 
although it was but seldom that with the utmost attention 
they could detect any response, they were certain soon after- 
wards to hear a flock passing overhead in full chorus. It was 
