245 DVCK SHOOTING. 



tions are propitious, he may have several shots during 

 a morning or an afternoon. I recall having seen one 

 man, a number of years ago, pull down three great 

 swans from the sky just as the sun was setting. 



The note of the common swan is very different from 

 that of his western relative. It is a plaintive, rather 

 high-pitched call, often repeated, and can be fairly well 

 imitated by blowing into the neck of a wide-mouthed 

 bottle. On the principal shooting grounds of the 

 South the boatmen are familiar with the call-note of 

 the swan, and imitate it faultlessly. This skill often 

 gives the gunner an opportunity for a shot which he 

 would not otherwise have. 



Mr. D. G. Elliot, in his admirable work on the "Wild 

 Fowl of North America," has this to say about the 

 notes uttered by the wounded swan : "The song of the 

 dying swan has been the theme of poets for centuries 

 and is generally considered one of those pleasing myths 

 that are handed down through the ages. I had killed 

 many swans and never heard aught from them at any 

 time, save the familiar notes that reached the ears of 

 everyone in their vicinity; but once, when shooting in 

 Currituck Sound over water belonging to a club of 

 which I am a member, in company with a friend, Mr. 

 F. W. Leggett, of New York, a number of swans passed 

 over us at a considerable height. We fired at them, 

 and one splendid bird was mortally hurt. On re- 

 ceiving his wound the wings became fixed, and he com- 

 menced at once his song, which was continued until the 

 water was reached, nearly half a mile away. I am per- 



