COMMON SCOTER. 321 



quented in winter by large flocks of aquatic birds. With 

 the first appearance of frost, the Scoters and other Ducks 

 arrive in numerous 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 intended 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 assem- 

 blage 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 

 degrees till the crews are within gunshot of the intended 

 victims. 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, not with- 

 out many altercations, divide the spoil, and return to land. 

 After a short respite, the birds having again 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 re-assemble. A 

 chasse, as it is termed, of a somewhat similar character, is 



VOL. III. Y 



