170 
NATURAL- HISTORY 
SWAN. 
No bird makes a more indifferent figure 
upon land, or a more beautiful one in the 
water, than the Swan. This fine bird has 
long been rendered domestic. Its - chief food 
is corn, bread, water-herbs, and roots and 
seeds, which are found near the margin of 
a river. Though these birds do not reject 
animal food when offered, yet they can sub- 
sist upon vegetables, and seldom seek any 
other. The weeds on the surface of the 
water, or the insects at the bottom, thq grass 
by the bank, or the fruits and corn of culti- 
vated grounds, are sufficient to satisfy their 
easy appetites. The elegance of form which 
this bird displays, when with his arched 
neck and half-expanded wings, he sails 
upon the surface, of a tranquil stream, is 
always worthy of our admiration. 
