The graceful winged form of the swan has inspired works of art from fairy tales to ballets, and airborne the bird is a majestic sight - moving steadily with strong, slow wing-beats and with its slender neck outstretched, Peter Young's Swan is a comprehensive natural and cultural history of this elegant creature.<BR>The natural history of the swan is unexpectedly complex, and even its life-span - some 50 years - would surprise many people. Swans reputedly male for life. And their power and endurance is legendary. Their bones, in fact, contain air-filled cavities to help minimize weight in the air (North America's Tundra swans, for example, have migration patterns that cover thousands of miles). But in this book the author gives equal treatment to the long and rick role of the swan in human culture, from Greek myth to modern dance, from art and design to brand-name logos. Peter Young also details the challenges facing today's conservation efforts to protect the swan from life-threatening human hazards than include leaked oil and tar, abandoned fishing hooks and lines, and loss of habitats. His engrossing and detailed account will appeal to all who admire this beautiful bird.