COMMON SCOTER. 319 



I am indebted to H. L. Long, Esq., of Hampton Lodge, 

 Farnham, for a copy of a French account by M. Hugo, of 

 the mode in which many of these birds are obtained upon 

 the various salt lakes in the vicinity of Martigues, at the 

 mouth of the Rhone. These numerous salt lakes are fre- 

 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 par- 

 ticipate 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 ex- 

 tended 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 

 ill the air ; many more fall, and with broken wings and 

 loud cries are picked up by the shooters, who divide the 

 spoil, not without many altercations, and return to land. 



