The Black-necked Swan. 
573 
Very little can be said upon the management of swans. They are so large and powerful, and 
so intolerant of interference, or even the presence of man during the process of incubation, that any 
attempt at “management” is for the most part not only impossible, but positively dangerous. It 
is, however, very probable that more complete domestication would remedy this, not only making 
the birds more amenable to reason, but increasing the number of eggs ; and considering the size 
of the birds, the hardiness of the young, and their excellent quality, it is much to be wished that 
THE BLACK SWAN. 
some serious attempt should be made to breed them more extensively for market purposes. As 
a rule, all that can be done is to give the old birds a little grain, and see that their privacy is not 
disturbed whilst sitting. When hatched, if very wild, the cygnets can be fed by throwing- 
coarse oatmeal or grits upon the water ; or soaked ground biscuit, such as Spratt’s Poultry Food, 
may be given in the same manner ; but if the old birds are tame and familiar, they will often bring 
the brood to feed from a trough placed at the edge of the water, in which the food should be 
placed, always in water, as in feeding grain to ducks. Mr. Fowler informs us that he has known 
swans’ eggs hatched under geese, and brought up tame like ducks. This experiment is well worth 
repeating. 
