The Swan Theatre was a former London theatre that stood near the Surrey end of Blackfriars Bridge. The Swan Theatre was opened in 1598 and was one of the largest Elizabethan playhouses in London. It was suppressed during the English Civil War and later demolished. Research Swan Theatre
Anatidae is the duck, geese and swan family of birds of the order Natatores. They are characterized by a thick, broad beak, high at the base, covered with a thin membranous skin and ending in a nail-like horny tip; the edges of the mandibles are cut into thin parallel ridges, or toothed; the wings are moderate; the legs placed not very far behind; the feet are four-toed and palmated; the hind toe is free, placed high on the tarsus. They feed on grass and aquatic weeds, worms, insects, molluscs and small fish. Research Anatidae
Bewick's Swan (Cygnus colombarius) is a small (roughly 120 cm long) Siberian swan similar in appearance to the Whooper Swan, but with less yellow on its bill. During the winter they migrate in family groups within flocks to Britain before returning to Siberia when the weather becomes warmer. Research Bewick's Swan
Feathers are the form which the dermal appendages assume in birds, agreeing in mode of development, but differing in form from hairs and scales. The feather consists of a stem, horny, round, strong, and hollow in the lower part, called the quill, and in the upper part, called the shaft, filled with pith. On each side of the shaft is a web composed of a series of regularly-arranged fibres called barbs. The barbs and shaft constitute the vane. On the edges of the barbs are set the barbules, which interlock with those of adjacent barbs, and thus give strength to the vane.
Feathers are generally divided into two kinds, quill feathers in the wing or tail, and plumes or clothing feathers generally diffused. The feathers of birds are periodically changed, generally once, but in some species twice a year. This is called moulting. When feathers have reached their full growth they become dry, and only the tube, or the vascular substance which it contains, continues to absorb moisture or fat. When, therefore, part of a feather is cut off, it does not grow out again;
and a bird whose wings have been clipped remains in that situation until the next moulting season, when the old stumps are shed and new feathers grow out. If, however, the stumps are pulled out sooner the feathers will be renewed in a few weeks or even days.
The feather is a very strong formation, not readily damaged, the arch of the shaft resisting pressure, while the web and fine fibres yield without suffering. Being a bad conductor of heat it preserves the high temperature of the bird, while it is so light as to be easily carried in flight. It is rendered almost impervious to wet by the oily fluid which most birds secrete at the base of the tail. Feathers traditionally formed a considerable article of commerce, particularly those of the ostrich, heron, swan, peacock, goose, etc, for plumes, ornaments, filling of beds, pens, etc. Research Feather
A hybrid is the product of a femal animal or plant which has been impregnated by a male of a different but nearly allied species or genus. Uncertainty prevails respecting the productive crossing of species, but it seems to be established that while the crossing of different genera may result in offspring, that of different orders will not.
Hybrids are obtained amongst fishes from different Species of carp; amongst birds, from the goldfinch and canary, the swan and the goose, etc; amongst mammals, from the horse and the zebra, the horse and the ass, the produce of the last two being the mule proper; from the lion and tiger, the dog and wolf, the dog and fox, the goat and ibex.
Instances of hybrids between animals of different genera have been furnished by the union of the goat and the antelope, and of the stag and the cow. It used formerly to be considered that the propagative power of hybrids was either absolutely null, or that they propagated only with an individual of the pure breed; but the experiments of Charles Darwin and other 10th century researches showed that although infertility to some degree generally attends sexual intercourse between different species, yet in such intercourse every degree of difference from absolute sterility up to complete fertility is found. The results hitherto obtained may be summarized as follows: The crossing of species of different families is in almost every case infertile; allied species are capable of producing offspring, and this capability is in indefinite ratio to the degree of their likeness; hybrids are frequently fertile with their parents, but more rarely among themselves; there is no fixed relation between the degree of fertility manifested by the parent species when crossed and that which is manifested by their hybrid progeny.
In many cases two pure species can be crossed with unusual facility, while the resulting hybrids are remarkably sterile; and, on the other hand, there are species which can only be crossed with extreme difficulty, though the hybrids when produced are very fertile. Research Hybrid
The Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is a large, distinctive water bird, and the commonest swan in Britain. The adult has pure white plumage, black legs and an orange-red bill. While swimming the birds hold their neck in a distinctive and elegant curve. It is called a mute swan because it doesn't make any noise, although when threatened it will hiss with its beak wide open and attack people fearlessly showing incredible arrogance as though aware of its Royal protective status in Britain. Research Mute Swan More pictures of Mute Swan
The swan (Cygnus) is a genus of large, long necked birds of the goose sub- family (Anscrinae) of the duck family (Anatidae). They differ from geese in the bill being of equal breadth throughout and furnished with a knob at the base; medial nostrils; short legs and a very long neck. The commonest species seen in Britain is the mute swan, although the Whooper Swan and the Bewick's Swan also visit. Research Swan
The Swan Mussel (Anodonta cygnea) is a freshwater bivalve mollusc of the family Unionidae, found in sluggish rivers, canals, and large ponds throughout most of Great Britain. The Swan Mussel typically grows to about 15 cm long, it has a thin, oval shell with a straight edge where the two sides are hinged on the upper side. The outside of the Swan Mussel is greenish-yellow in colour and marked with dark growth lines, inside it is coated with mother-of-pearl. The animal is greyish in colour with a yellow foot which it uses to move. Research Swan Mussel
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Swan Theatre
