GREAT CHASSE. 445 



of action, which is often three to four miles distant. If it 

 be calm, or the wind ahead, the boats are pulled, but if the 

 breeze be favourable, sails are made use of. When the bay 

 in which hostilities are to be carried on is neared, the boats 

 separate ; and each taking up its appointed station, a Cordon 

 is formed completely across its entrance, and thus the swans 

 are imprisoned as it were. Profound silence is of the first 

 moment during this operation, for should the birds be aware 

 of what is going on, they will leave the shore and make for 

 the open sea, and in all probability gain this before it would 

 be possible to complete the chain. 



So soon as this object is accomplished, the boats advance 

 simultaneously towards the beach. At first, owing to the 

 entrance of the bay thus blockaded being of considerable 

 width, the boats are necessarily pretty far apart ; but as the 

 bay becomes narrower, the little flotilla assumes a more 

 compact form. When, however, the swans perceive the 

 approach of the enemy, and find themselves, as our trans- 

 atlantic brethren would say, " in a decided fix," they make 

 every effort to escape from the toils. Such as can fly take 

 wing, and face for the open sea, in their way to which they 

 are exposed to a murderous fire from the boats ; whilst the 

 others, usually the major portion of the flock, being unable, 

 from the want of sufficient feathers, to rise above the water, 

 either take to the strand, where they are captured living 

 by the land-party, or dash at any opening they may perceive 

 between the boats. 



In former times, when these hunts were conducted with 

 great regularity and strictness, no one was permitted to fire 

 at a swan except on the wing, or at such birds as might 

 casually break the line. Owing to this very proper regu- 



