WILD BLACK SWAN

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11622, 23 September 1931, Page 5

WILD BLACK SWAN

BUILDS NEST IN AUCKLAND DOMAIN. OBJECTS TO VISITS OF INSPECTION. ' (Special to the Times.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 22. Tho most interesting bird in Auckland is the wild black swan, which has established a precedent of nesting in the Domain. What is more, the bird has shown fine scorn for the proximity of the throbbing liie of the city by laying four eggs, from which sprightly cygnets are expected to appear, 'if the swan household remains undisturbed. Tlio arrival of the swan and the laying of the e ggs are unparallelled in the annals of bird life ill the Domain Why the bird .should have descended upon Auckland during its nosting flight must'remain a mystery. It has to be understood, that it is not one of the niild-matured swans which grazo in public’ ponds. ' On the contrary ,her instincts arc essentially wild. - She lias established herself in otic of the best 'known corners of the' Domain on a miniature island in the pond which served as Auckland’s first, water supply. The nest is not remarkablo for excellence of finish. It, has been, built’from pieces of foliage of Norfolk Island pine, a ’ few feathers, moss and ■ '.substantial lengths,. tof raupo. I • , ‘ ’ > • Inspected to-day, the swan was inclined to show' keen resentment. Obviously,- slie did not’ fellah the prosence of intruders.