Swan

Swans, genus Cygnus, are birds of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and ducks. Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae where they form the tribe Cygnini. Sometimes, they are considered a distinct subfamily, Cygninae. There are six or seven species of swan in the genus Cygnus; in addition there is another species known as the Coscoroba Swan, although this species is no longer considered one of the true swans. Swans usually mate for life, though 'divorce' does sometimes occur, particularly following nesting failure. The number of eggs in each clutch ranges from three to eight.

Famous quotes containing the word swan:

“Love that had robbed us of immortal things,
This little moment mercifully gave,
Where I have seen across the twilight wave
The swan sail with her young beneath her wings.”
—George Meredith (1828–1909)

“The Teutons have been singing the swan song ever since they entered the ranks of history. They have always confounded truth with death.”
—Henry Miller (1891–1980)

“The reason is:
rats leave the sinking ship
but we . . .
we . . .
didn’t leave,
so the ship
didn’t sink,
and that’s madness,
Lear’s song
that’s Touchstone’s forest jest,
that’s swan of Avon logic.”
—Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)