222 ANATIDE. 



winter by large flocks of aquatic birds. With the first ap- 

 pearance of frost the Scoters and other Ducks arrive in nume- 

 rous small flocks, and a destructive sort of battue takes place, 

 in which all who can are induced to participate with great 

 eagerness. About Christmas, when the Scoters have made 

 their appearance, printed bills are posted at Marseilles, Aix, 

 and all the principal places in the vicinity, stating the in- 

 tended order of attack upon the birds, and the day and hour 

 at which it is to take place. The Mayors of two or three 

 of the principal places make the necessary arrangements ; on 

 the eve of the day fixed upon all the shooters are divided 

 into parties, and each has a boat, a pilot, and a commander 

 appointed. The assemblage is large, filling the inns and the 

 lodgings to be had at private houses. In the morning, at 

 the sound of a drum, the embarkation takes place on the lake 

 named for the first attempt. The boats, filled with sportsmen, 

 form an extended circle around the flocks of birds at one part 

 of the lake ; the boats then draw in, diminishing the circle by 

 deijrees till the crews are within o-unshot of the intended vic- 

 tims. At a well-known and preconcerted signal, a partial 

 discharge takes place at the unfortunate birds while swimming 

 on the surface of the water. Many are killed on the spot ; 

 those which escape this first fire attempt to save themselves 

 by flight, when a second discharge assails them in the air ; 

 many more fall, and with broken wings and loud cries are 

 picked up by the shooters, who divide the spoil, not without 

 many altercations, and return to land. After a short respite, 

 the birds having asjain collected together on that or some 

 other neighbouring lake, a second advance takes place in the 

 same manner, and the day is passed in making a succession of 

 attacks, each followed by a retreat for a time to allow the 

 birds to reassemble. A chasse^ as it is termed, of a some- 

 what similar character, is performed near Bastia, the capital 

 of Corsica ; but in this locality the Scoter is always accom- 



