370 



"Fogel-Niit," nor the "Ratlines" arc had recourse to in 

 the winter for the capture of wild fowl, that object being 

 effected hy more simple and pvimitiv.- means. A " sewn' 

 is constructed of ice-blocks near to a Wak" (on tin- 

 side next the shore) frequented by birds that obtain t 

 food by diving. Two men, each armed with a Ion- pole, 

 lie in ambush at some little distance from the opening* 

 and when they observe a considerable number of fowl 

 congregated, they, on bands and knees, creep Btea 

 up to the " screen " in question. On reaching the latter, 

 they suddenly and simultaneously rise from their recum- 

 bent position, staff in hand, and, uttering loud cries 

 rush forward to the " Wak." Some few of the fo 1 may 

 take wing, but the greater part are so intimidated by the 

 sudden and uproarious attack as to be incapable of 

 doing, and therefore resort to the equally ready expedient 

 of diving. But they are soon compelled to come again 

 to the surface to breathe, on which their persecutors mer- 

 cilessly knock them on the head with their weapons ; and 

 thus, in the course of a lew minutes, the greater part of 

 a flock are destroyed. By this most murderous system 

 several hundreds' of suel. fowl as procure their sub- 

 sistence at the bottom are at times slaughtered in tin- 



course of a day. 



The quantity of aquatic birds such as ^ u 

 Golden-eye, and Long-tailed ITareld-that at times con- 

 gregate in "Wakar," and other openings in the ice, is 

 enormous. When in the winter of 1853, which was a 

 severe one, Mr. Alexander Keiller in an " iee-boat " was 

 crossing the Great I'.elt, then entirely fVo/.eu over, with 

 the exception of a very narrow channel in the middle, he 

 saw such multitudes of fowl as filled him with astonish- 

 mcnt . _ Billions," said he, " would give no idea of 

 ,1,,-i,. numbers; and when they took uin- it was not 

 simultaneously, but in succession, like unto clouds of 



