278 MAIMED BIRDS. 



M. Kjallberg, the proprietor of Storberget, a fine estate on 

 tlie eastern shores of tlie "Wenern, that on one occasion 

 wlien his people were cutting a wet meadow near to tlie 

 house, tliey found in a patch of rough grass, dotted with 

 bushes left for the purpose, upwards of sixty old Mallard- 

 Drakes that had taken refuge there, and all of which were 

 knocked on the head with sticks. The spoil, M. Kjallberg 

 said, " filled a large sack." 



Speaking of these birds reminds me of a singular 

 incident that occurred to an acquaintance of mine, M. 

 Backman, of Traneberg. He had taken in some high 

 grass two young Ducks, one with each hand ; and whilst 

 holding them up before him, preparatory to wringing their 

 necks, an old Mallard-Drake suddenly rushed between 

 his legs, by closing wliich he secured him also. 



The chief take-off to Duck-shooting is the number of 

 maimed birds that escape. On one occasion, owing to the 

 depth of the water and the tussocky nature of the marsh, 

 I lost no less than six cou^^le of Mallard out of twelve and 

 a half couple that fell to the gun. To say nothing of 

 leaving the poor creatures to perish miserably, the annoy- 

 ance of losing prizes so nearly within one's grasp is 

 exceedingly great. As with us in England, the belief is 

 commonly entertained in Scandinavia, that Ducks, when 

 wounded, dive to the bottom and attach themselves, 

 by their bills, to weeds, where they remain until 

 life is extinct. But unfortunately the opportunity 

 was never afforded me of testing the truth of this 

 singular notion. 



At a later period of the autumn again, numbers of 

 Ducks are shot pa drag, or at flight-time. When the 

 reeds are cut and stacked,* these birds, then strong on the 



* In many parts of tbe country, where liay is scarce, reeds serve as 

 provender for the cattle diiriuL; the winter months. 



