Mute Swan —Ross Feldner

In the famous Christmas carol “Twelve Days of Christmas,” one of the choruses refers to “Seven Swans A-Swimming.” Coincidently, there are seven species of wild swans in the world matching the number in the song. The most likely candidate is the Mute Swan which is a common sight in England where the song originated in the late eighteenth century.
    Mute Swans are not native to the United States and were first brought here in the mid-1800s to early 1900s to decorate lakes and ponds in many of our towns and cities. Though beautiful, they have since become somewhat of a nuisance due to their aggressive behavior and voracious eating habits.
    Mute Swans form long-lasting pair bonds. Their reputation for monogamy along with their elegant white plumage has helped establish them as a symbol of love all around the world. Adding to the swan's lore is the famous story by Hans Christian Anderson, “The Ugly Duckling,” where a plain gray cygnet turns its woes into the triumph of becoming a beautiful swan, and of course, an historic subject of Russian ballet and numerous fairy tales.