204 KEMIXISCENCES OF A SPOETSMAX. 



In order to the quicker hearing of the tajDping, she put 

 an old bell upon the stone, and they tapped upon 

 this. 



Next she bethought her of hanging up the bell with 

 a string into the water. Then they came and pulled 

 the string, and rang the bell for their food. 



The ducks have learnt it from the swans, and the 

 ringing is pretty continual. 



During the severe winter of 1 806 I resided in Norfolk, 

 and one morning, about Christmas, the river which runs 

 down to Norwich being only a quarter of a mile from our 

 house, was nearly frozen over. I saw three hoopers 

 or wild swans, pass over the house, directing their 

 course to the river. I immediately loaded a single- 

 barrelled gun with swan-shot, and on making a re- 

 connaissance on the banks of the stream, I perceived 

 the swans at some distance in the water. For- 

 tunately, at that part there was rather an elevation of 

 ground, which screened me from the sight of the swans ; 

 and by creeping on my hands and knees for a short dis- 

 tance, I was able to get about thirty yards from them 

 undiscovered. I took aim at the head of one of them, as 

 it would have proved useless to fire at the body. The 

 shot took eflfect, killed the bird, and the other two flew 

 away. I found some difficulty in getting him to the 

 banks of the river. Having succeeded in this, it was no 

 easy task to carry my heavy prize home. JNIy nearest 

 neighbour at Billingford was a Mr. Pouche, a Frenchman 

 w^ho had lived many years as valet-de-chambre to the late 

 Mr. Dutton. I showed him the swan, and offered to make 

 him a present of it, which he gratefully accepted ; and 

 having met him a few days afterwards, he told me that 

 himself and family had lived nearly the whole week on 



