188 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Object of chase in Iceland. 



construction., this bird is enabled to utter a loud 

 and shrill note. 



This species is an inhabitant of the northern 

 regions; never appearing in England except in 

 hard winters, when flocks of five or six are now 

 and then seen. Martin says, that in the month 

 of October, Swans come in great numbers to 

 Lingey, one of the Western Isles, and continue 

 there till March, when they return northward to 

 breed. A few continue in Mainland, one of the 

 Orkneys, and breed in the little islands of the 

 fresh water lochs; but the principal part of them 

 retire at the approach of spring;. They are called 

 the countryman's almanack ; for their quitting 

 the isle is said to presage good weather, and 

 their arrival the reverse. 



In Iceland, these birds are an object of chase. 

 In the month of August they lose their feathers 

 to such a degree as not to be able to fly. The 

 natives, at that season, resort in great numbers 

 to the places wjjere they most abound ; and are 

 accompanied with dogs, and active strong horses, 

 trained to the sport, and capable of passing nim- 

 bly over the boggy soil and marshes. The swans 

 will run as fast as a tolerable fleet horse* The 

 greater number are taken by the dogs; which 

 are taught to seize them by the neck ; a mode 

 of attack that causes them to lose their balance, 

 and become an easy prey. 



Notwithstanding their size, these birds arc so 



