TAKEN IN STEEL-TRAPS. 43? 



have expected ; no doubt partly for the reason that, at the 

 present day, their skins are of comparatively little value, and 

 partly because the flesh is in no great request for the table. 

 Happily for the poor hooper and other aquatics, the punt- 

 gun is at present all but unknown in the peninsula ; for were 

 it in general use, the destruction amongst them would be ten 

 times greater than at present. 



Though very many of these birds are shot in Scandinavia, 

 both during migration and in the winter time, it is probable 

 the greater number are slaughtered in their breeding-grounds 

 in the far north. 



In Lapland, in the spring of the year, when the bird first 

 arrives from more southern climes, it is often, like wild geese, 

 captured by means of gins or steel- traps, which are placed 

 near to natural openings in the ice. These are baited with 

 such aquatic plants, or their roots, to which the hooper is 

 known to be partial. Many at that time are also shot with 

 the rifle, or fowling-piece ; and if there be snow on the 

 ground, as is generally the case for some time after their 

 arrival, the fowler draws a white sheet over his usual attire, 

 and is thus much more readily enabled to approach them. 

 In the autumn, again, many are in that country destroyed 

 whilst moulting. 



But though this bird escapes pretty well in Scandinavia, 

 it would seem to be not a little persecuted in some of the 

 neighbouring countries. 



" The hooper," so we read, " comes from the north in 

 the autumn to the inland lakes of Pomerania. In the day 

 time, when these birds keep at a distance from the shore, 

 it is difficult to approach them; but at night, when they 

 come nearer, and fly backwards and forwards, and often 



