MUTE SWANS 
The low graceful neck, the snow-white plumage and stately bearing of the 
mute swan have made it an ornament on the ponds and lakes of the world. 
In England during the Middle Ages it was regarded as the “Royal Bird” 
and could not be kept without a license or swan mark registered on its bill. 
At first these marks were conferred most sparingly, but by the days of 
Queen Elizabeth there are said to have been nine hundred distinct swan 
marks in England, some held by private persons and some by corporations. 
The swans of the realm were placed under the control of a royal swanherd, 
a most elevated dignitary. This official travelled throughout the country, 
seeing to it that the regulations covering the majestic bird were enforced. 
The extension of swan rights to the corporations indicated the loosening 
of feudal restraints. 
The young swans or cygnets are considered a great table delicacy and 
are fattened for this purpose at great expense. 
In its wild state this swan breeds from North and Central Europe to 
Central Asia. It feeds primarily on the seeds of water plants, mollusks and 
insects. Because of its great size and beauty, it enjoys a considerable place 
in ancient legends, the best known of which is that of Lohengrin, the Teu¬ 
tonic knight errant, who travelled about in a boat drawn by a swan. 
Mute swans usually nest on a small island. The nest is often as much 
as two feet high and six feet in diameter. Five to nine grayish-olive eggs 
are laid, which require five to six weeks for incubation. When hatched, the 
young are covered with sooty-gray down; the first feathers are dark brown, 
gradually changing to white. It takes about a year for the bird to attain its 
familiar snow-white color. During this time the patient mother keeps con¬ 
stant watch over her fledgling. The male has been known to rush wildly at 
any intruder, causing considerable injury with its powerful wings. 
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