230 GAME SHOAL-WATER FOWL. 



the skin is the principal part wanted, the larger 

 and older the bird the better. 



Another very common method of hunting swans 

 is to take a stand where they pass .and repass 

 from one pond to another. The same route is 

 nearly always taken, and during hard head-winds 

 they frequently fly quite low. They are very often, 

 too, driven by a strong side-wind quite near the 

 various points along the shores of the lakes which 

 they frequent, and many are thus killed. They 

 may also be approached, by using ordinary cau- 

 tion, in the sculling-float. 



Single swans of this variety may frequently be 

 turned from their course by imitating their notes, 

 which resemble greatly those of a trumpet; and 

 because of this peculiarity of note the name 

 " trumpeter " was given them. 



Never shoot at swans when the breasts are pre- 

 sented. Wait until they have slightly passed you ; 

 and if your gun is loaded with shot smaller than 

 No. 1, aim to strike them in the head or neck. 

 It is useless to shoot small shot at the body, where 

 the covering is so very thick. If the outside fea- 

 thers be plucked off carefully, a most beautiful 

 coat of snow-white down will be found under- 

 neath, fully an inch in thickness, and excelling in 



