IN FEATHERS AND FUR. 
105 
For though the swan is the most beautiful water bird, it is 
neither sweet voiced nor good tempered. 
In fact, I'm sorry to say, he s generally very quarrelsome and 
cruel. He's apt to fight, not only other birds, but his own broth- 
ers. He fights with his wings. Maybe you think them rather 
poor weapons, but he makes w T onderful use of them, and don't 
hesitate to attack even eagles and small animals who have a fancy to 
eat him, or his babies. And he usually beats them off, too. 
In some countries, people take advantage of the cruelty of 
swans, to catch them, for they are usually careful to keep out of the 
way of men and guns. 
The hunter makes a sort of hut of branches of trees, and puts 
before it stuffed ducks or geese. Then he hides in the hut, and 
waits for the swans. 
As soon as they see the ducks, they come rushing down to 
seize them, and. the hunter shoots them in a minute. 
Not all swans are white. One kind, living in Australia, dresses 
in deepest black, and is taken to other countries as a curiosity. But 
black ones are not nearly so beautiful as their white cousins, and 
are very shy, too. 
