WHOOPER. 309 



arriving in flocks, which are generally more numerous as the 

 weather becomes more severe. Low, in his ' Fauna Orca- 

 densis,' writing about 1774, says, " The Wild Swan is found 

 at all seasons in Orkney ; a few pairs build in the holms of 

 the loch of Stenness. These, however, are nothing to the 

 flocks that visit us in October from the more northern 

 climates, their summer retreats. Part of these continue 

 with us all the winter, and the rest go to Caithness and the 

 other northern shires of Scotland ; in April they go off again 

 to the northward, except the few which remain here for the 

 summer. Like the wild geese, these birds fly in the fashion 

 of a wedge, making a fine melodious clang, which has, 

 perhaps, furnished one occasion to give a musical voice to 

 this bird." The Wild Swan has long since ceased to breed 

 in the Orkneys ; but in numbers depending upon the rigour 

 of the season, it annually visits the coasts and islands of 

 Scotland upon its autumn migrations ; and, on the return, 

 in spring, individuals out of the passing flocks have been 

 observed to linger about the localities which their (presumed) 

 ancestors found suitable for nesting purposes. In December 

 various flocks are seen flying in compact bodies, directing 

 their course southward, particularly along the coast lines, 

 and specimens are to be seen in the London markets. 

 Many reach the sea on our southern coast. The late Earl 

 of Malmesbury sent the Author, in the spring of the year 

 1838, a list of four hundred and sixteen wild-fowl, killed at 

 Heron Court during the frost, from January the 9th to 

 February the 24th ; and this list included thirty-three 

 Whoopers. Colonel Hawker, describing the successful shots 

 he had made at Swans, when wild-fowl shooting between 

 Lymington and Poole harbour, says : — " The Whoopers, 

 before they have been shot at, are easier of access than 

 many other wild birds ; and if, when flying, they are fired 

 at directly under the hollow of the wing, or, when swimming, 

 through the head, they may be stopped at a reasonable 

 distance, with a common double gun and small shot ; perhaps 

 even farther than other wild-fowl, as, when struck in the 

 body, they become helpless from their weight, and their 



