Show S sans mate for life and share responsibilities swans are perfect models of concu gal conduct they mate tor for life and the sexes share the domestic cespon sib lit es notes a writer in the new boik herald tribune the downy young when first hatched are not the ugly ducklings of lir vir belief but lovely little creatures clothed in silky golden down and with out the exaggerated neck and huge paddle like feet of their parents very soon however these characteristics begin to api appear ear and ungainliness re places their natal loveliness until the grace and beauty of maturity appear feese like swans pair for life and tl e young birds remain in the company of their parents for nearly a year after they are hatched endowed with keen intelligence and extreme wariness they can be depend ed on to maintain a fair degree of abundance as long as adequate win wring grounds are afforded them but aboe abone all they like swans require freedom from molestation when they are at rest so that a large measure of solitude and wide spaces are the chief requirements for their perpetuation ducks for the most part are very different from swans and geese in their family habits while they pair like other birds and are not as a rule polygamous the male in most species Is not a constant I 1 ausband and aban dons the female and all family cares as soon as incubation of the eggs Is 13 well under way stiff tailed ducks duels however are notable exceptions to this rule |