192 WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS. [CHAP. xxiv. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



Migration of Birds in October Wild Swans: Pursuit of; Manner of 

 getting a Shot; Two killed Habits of Wild Swan. 



October 1st. THERE is no month more interesting, or productive 

 of more amusement, both to the naturalist and the sportsman, than 

 this many new birds now appear, on their route from their more 

 northern breeding-places, wending their weary way to the south- 

 ern shores of the kingdom, where vast numbers fall victims to 

 the guns which are brought to bear upon them some for plea- 

 sure and some for profit. 



Most migratory birds take advantage of the moonlight to help 

 them on their journey ; for example, woodcocks, snipes, field- 

 fares, &c., generally arrive in this country during the lightest 

 nights in October and November. The water-fowl seem more 

 independent of the moon, and to be chiefly guided in their arrival 

 by the weather. 



October 6t/i. To-day we saw in the bay as many as fifty or 

 sixty wild swans, evidently just arrived ; we went home for swan- 

 shot, Eley's cartridges, and other munitions of war, but by the 

 time we had got all in readiness to open a campaign on the fleet 

 of snow-white birds, they all took flight. After sailing two or 

 three times round the bay, and after an amazing deal of trum- 

 peting and noise, they divided into separate parties, and flew 

 off, some to the east, and some to the west, towards their differ- 

 ent winter-quarters. 



October 1th. My old garde-chasse insisted on my starting 

 early this morning, nolens volens, to certain lochs six or seven 

 miles off, in order, as he termed it, to take our " satisfaction " of 

 the swans. I must say that it was a matter of very small satis- 

 faction to me, the tramping off in a sleety, rainy morning, 

 through a most forlorn and hopeless-looking country, for the 

 chance, and that a bad one, of killing a wild swan or two. How- 

 ever, after a weary walk, we arrived at these desolate-looking 



