GREAT CHASSE. 44? 



taken, it is usually shot. But it is not actually needful to kill 

 the bird ; for when so far exhausted as to be within range of 

 the piece, " a long pull and a strong pull" of a few minutes 

 in duration will insure its capture alive. To effect this object, 

 a blunt hook, attached to a long pole or even a common 

 boat-hook will answer the purpose is passed around its 

 neck, which it holds stiff and upright ; and it is thus easily 

 hauled on board. At times it makes considerable resist- 

 ance when being taken out of the water ; but though it is 

 a generally received notion, that a stroke of its wing will break 

 a man's arm, or even leg, I never remember having heard 

 of any casualty of the kind; possibly because prior to the 

 bird's capture, it has been either partly disabled by wounds, 

 or utterly worn out with fatigue. 



When the swan is taken into the boat, it is only needful 

 to place it crosswise, with its breast resting against the side 

 of the boat, and its neck between the seats ; for as the swan 

 only moves ahead, it, unless the course is clear, always 

 remains passive. Singular as it may seem, it has neverthe- 

 less been remarked that as many swans are captured by boats 

 in which there are no fire-arms, as in those that are provided 

 with them. 



If it be calm weather, these hunts are very amusing; but 

 if stormy, on the contrary, they are not altogether enjoyable ; 

 for owing to the rapidity with which the boat is propelled 

 through the waves, so much spray flies over her, that one is 

 pretty sure, if stationed at the bow at least, to get a good 

 ducking. The hunt commonly lasts for several hours, and 

 at its conclusion people often find themselves far from the 

 starting-point sometimes twelve to fifteen miles it is said. 

 As may well be imagined, one's success mainly depends on 



