260 BIRD-LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



being harassed by gunners in boats, and not a few 

 of the trawlers carry a gun in the hope of a chance 

 shot at the luckless fowl. All observers are agreed 

 that wildfowling is not what it used to be, and that 

 the vast flights of Geese and Ducks of the old 

 days are never seen now. 



The rarest, as they certainly are the most im- 

 posing and distinguished visitors in the present 

 family, are the Swans. In severe winters and after 

 prolonged gales we have occasionally seen a Swan 

 in the bay here, but always too far off to allow of 

 identification. Speaking of Swans, a rather unusual 

 incident occurred during the past autumn (1898), 

 towards the end of August. Just before dusk, and 

 when the Paignton promenade was crowded with 

 people enjoying the fine music discoursed by the 

 Royal Italian Band, a flight of five Swans sud- 

 denly appeared, and the birds alighted on the sea 

 just off the end of the pier. They remained here 

 for a few moments, and then rose one after the 

 other and flew steadily just above the water 

 towards Livermead Point, close to Torquay. Here 

 we watched them for some time through a glass, 

 when they again rose and passed out towards the 

 centre of the bay, where they were finally lost to 



