THE SWAN. 
125 
THE SWAN. ( Anas Cygnus.') 
So much difference is there between this bird when on 
land and in the water, that it is hardly to be supposed the 
same; for in the latter, no bird can possibly exceed it for 
beauty and majestic appearance. When it ascends from 
its favourite element, its motions are awkward, and its neck is 
stretched forward with an air of stupidity ; it has, indeed, 
the air of being only a larger sort of goose ; but when seen 
smoothly gliding along the water, displaying a thousand 
graceful attitudes, and moving at pleasure without the 
smallest apparent effort, there is not a more beautiful figure 
in all nature. In its form, we find no broken or harsh 
lines; in its motions, nothing constrained or abrupt; but 
the roundest contours, and the easiest transitions ; the eye 
wanders over the whole with unalloyed pleasure, and with 
every change of position every part assumes a new grace. 
It will swim faster than a man can walk. 
This bird has long been rendered domestic; and it is 
now a doubt whether there be any of the tame kind in a 
state of nature. The colour of the tame Swan is entirely 
white, and it generally weighs full twenty pounds. Under 
the feathers is a very thick soft down, which is made an 
article of commerce, for purposes of both use and ornament. 
The windpipe sinks down into the lungs in the ordinary 
manner ; and it is the most silent of all the feathered tribes ; 
it can do nothing more than hiss, which it does on receiving 
