Swans 170-Year-Old Tradition Of Ringing Bell To Get Snacks

A family of swans at a British palace have maintained a 170-year-old tradition of ringing bells to receive snacks from staff. The swans at Bishop's Palace, in Wells, Somerset, England, are the latest in a long line of birds to keep up this unique tradition, which is believed to date back to the 1850s. A bishop’s daughter is thought to have first taught swans at the palace to ring a bell at the gatehouse around a century and a half ago, and today there are two bells for resident swans to ring. Today, come springtime, visitors can witness the swans' bell-ringing activities in person, while thousands of viewers check out the palace's "Swancam."

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