228 GAME SHOAL-WATER FOWL. 



ways at all suddenly. I once knew two swans 

 of separate flocks, coming from oj^posite directions, 

 to fly against each other, when one was so badly 

 hurt that he fell to the water, and was after- 

 wards captured by my hunting companion, a man 

 named Tyler. Tyler had seen one flock approach- 

 ing, and, as they came over his head, had fired 

 and killed one of their number, when almost im- 

 mediately the collision occurred with a flock which 

 he had hitherto unnoticed, and one fell, as before 

 stated. The confusion incident to his shooting 

 was no doubt the immediate cause of this rather 

 remarkable accident. 



Swans invariably rise against the wind, and if 

 it be calm they are unable to lift themselves 

 above the water before flapping along upon its 

 surface many yards, during which the strokes of 

 their wings against the water produce a rapid 

 succession of loud crackling noises, which may be 

 distinctly heard a long distance. Advantage is 

 taken by the skilful sportsman of this habit of 

 risino; ajjainst the wind, and if he can find them 

 sitting to leeward in some narrow river or slough, 

 M'hose banks are bordered with high timber, 

 he is almost certain to capture some of their 

 number. Paddling cautiously down-wind to- 



