The swan(天鹅) is a very gentle bird. It likes to swim on lakes. When it is young, it is grey and not a pretty bird at all. But when it is full-grown, it is as white as snow.
Look at the swan in the picture. See how graceful(优雅的) it is while the swan is swimming.
The swan builds its nest(巢) among high grass near the water. It is made of dry sticks and is placed on the ground. Here the swan lays its eggs.
As soon as the young swans are born, their mother leaves them and returns to the water. They need no school and no teaching, they can swim well at once.
▲ They are made for swimming. All birds that love the water and swim in it, have webs(蹼). Swans, ducks and a number of other birds have web-feet. They can all swim well, but hens(母鸡) and chickens can not swim at all, for they don't have webs like the swan and the duck.
The swan has a long neck, so it can reach its food without diving(潜水) as ducks do. The swan feeds on the leaves of water-plants.
