CYGNUS MUSICUS. 15 



the interior in order to reach the coast. The inhabitants of the coast and 

 tlieir dogs are prepared, and, when the birds approach, begin to make as 

 much noise as they can by shouting, striking boards with stones, and 

 making as much o£ a racket as possible. This noise has a powerful elFect 

 on the young swans, which, terrified and distracted, and not knowing 

 which way to turn theii- heads, allow themselves to fall to the ground, 

 when they are captured without any difficulty/ Fear is likewise exploited 

 in South America for the capturing of another species of swan by the 

 Guachos, ' who, when they perceive a flock, run towards it, keeping them- 

 selves leeward to the wind, and concealing themselves. When they get 

 close enough to the flock they spur up their horses and rush upon the birds 

 with loud shouts. The swans, seized with fear, are unable to take flight, 

 and allow themselves to be seized and slaughtered upon the spot.' "" 



In spite of the beautiful novelty of this way of catching swans, Indian 

 sportsmen had better keep to that dear old-fashioned weapon, the " T>.^." 

 breechloader, and leave the attempt to put salt on the ducks' tails to 

 Guachos, who can " run towai'ds " a Hock on horseback by " keeping lee- 

 ward to the wind " and then " spurring up their horses," or to Icelanders, 

 who are sufficiently distracting in their ways to confuse even the 

 wily swan. 



The Whooper is said to have not nearly as stately or as graceful a 

 carriage as the Common Swan, holding its neck in a nmch stiff er and more 

 erect position than does that bird, which, of course, gives it a more jerky 

 carriage when swimming. This trait may prove of use to the future 

 sportsman or ornithologist, who sees swans at too great a distance to 

 examine their bills, and thus to ascertain to what particular species they 

 belono-. 



