These magnificent birds are the largest members of the duck family and one the largest
flying birds. Graceful on water but rather ungainly on land they have featured strongly
in our history and culture. Around the world the swan is the subject of many myths
and legends.
Our resident swan is the mute swan. The mute swan is considered to be the royal bird.
Each year ownership of individual swans is claimed in a ceremony called Swan Upping.
This takes place on the Thames in the third week of July and lasts five days, during
which the crown and the Vintners and Dyers mark swans to claim ownership of them.
After the ceremony the monarch claims ownership of any unmarked swan.
At one time the swans claimed by the Vintners (wine merchants) had two nicks cut
into the bird’s bill. This meant that the Vintners and Dyers owned the swans with
two nicks - this is the origin of the frequently used pub name - The Swan with Two
Necks ( which was a corruption of two nicks). Fortunately for the birds this practice
is no longer carried out and instead the birds are ringed.
Click on any image to see a larger size.
These images can be used to create:
- a greetings card - to create a greetings card click on the create button and follow
the instructions
- a wall art design - an ideal gift for a special person or why not treat yourself.
To use to create a wall art design click on the ‘use this image for wall art and
then on the Createtoday website click on the Create wall art button to view the range
of sizes available and access more detail and prices.
To use this image click here
To use this image click here
To use this image click here
To use this image click here
To use this image click here
To use this image click here
To use this image click here
To use this image click here
To use this image click here