AMERICAN SWAN. 139 



rifle-balls thrown from the shore into the feeding-column, and as a ball 

 will richochet on the water for several hundred yards, a wing may be 

 disabled at the distance of half a mile. 



" These birds are often brought within shooting range, by sailing 

 down upon them whilst feeding, and, as they arise against the wind, 

 and cannot leave the water for fifteen or twenty yards, against which 

 they strike their enormous feet and wings most furiously, great advan- 

 tage is gained in distance. They must be allowed on all occasions to 

 turn the side, for a breast-shot rarely succeeds in entering. 



" When two feeding coves are separated by a single point, by dis- 

 turbing the Swans in one or the other occasionally, they will pass and 

 repass very closely to the projection of land, and usually taking, as 

 they do, the straight line, each gunner, to prevent dispute, indicates the 

 bird he will shoot at. 



" In winter, boats covered by pieces of ice, the sportsman being 

 dressed in white, are paddled or allowed to float during the night into 

 the midst of a flock, and they have been oftentimes killed, by being 

 knocked on the head and neck by a pole. There is, however, much 

 danger in this mode, as others may be engaged in like manner, and 

 shooting at a short distance, the persons might not be distinguished 

 from the Swans. These birds seem well aware of the range of a gun, 

 and T have followed them in a skiff" for miles, driving a body of several 

 himdreds before me, without the possibility of getting quite within 

 shooting distance. 



" The skins of Swans still covered by the down, which is very thick, 

 are often used in oiir country for bonnets and tippets. The Indians 

 also employ the skins for dresses for their women of rank, and the 

 feathers for ornaments for the head. 



" When more than one person is shooting, it is usual for each to 

 select a particular Swan, and if there be not enough for all, two will 

 take a particularly good bird, and, if it be killed, will decide its pos- 

 session afterwards, by some play of chance. Few are willing to take 

 the first bird, even though their position of last in the direction of flight 

 would compel them, according to usage, to do so, not only from the 

 difficulty and uselessness of killing the old ones, but because there is 

 much less chance of a stray shot from a neighbour's gun assisting in 

 the destruction. 



" In the autumn of 1829, the writer, with another person, was on 



