AVHOOrEll. 
3 
matter to work the gunning-punt within range, the birds having pitched directly to windward and an approach 
from any other quarter being impracticable. After watching the party for a couple of hours, during which 
they continued grazing on the marsh without shifting their quarters, I resolved, as the wind increased rather 
than diminished, to delay no longer in attempting to obtain a shot. To within the distance of about a couple 
of hundred yards a dense bed of reeds afforded protection from the gusts sweeping across the open marsh 
and intervening water ; on emerging from this shelter the swell rolled over the deck and the foice of the 
squalls rendered it almost impossible to make the slightest headway. After a lull of a few minutes we 
succeeded in working up to within a little over a hundred )’ards ; and three of the birds happening to draw 
together, the heaviest cartridge that could be found in the punt-box (1-lb. B) was fired *. ^ More by luck 
than skill, as the punt was rolling and pitching heavily, the aim proved true and the three birds were struck 
flat down on the marsh; a moment later, however, they recovered and, regaining their feet, flapped slowly off 
to windivard. On closely watching their manner of flight it was evident that the shot had taken effect on one 
of the juveniles ; with extended wings it turned and dropped to leeward, and after skimming about a couple 
of hundred yards rose a short distance in the air and fell headlong to the broad. Being forced to round a 
point of land, several minutes elapsed before we reached tlie spot, when the bird was still beating the water 'with 
its wings, its head being also raised and shaken ; finally sinking beneath the surface as the punt drew up 
alongside. Having requested the taxidermist to whom the bird was sent for preservation to make an 
examination as to the cause of death, I was informed that three shots had passed through the heart. 
A description of the colouring of the plumage of this juvenile is unnecessary, as the bird is figured 
in the Plate. After death I remarked tliat the beautiful pearl-grey tints on the feathers of the back and wings 
changed considerably, turning in some parts into a dirty grey or slate. This transformation probably accounts 
for the statement in one or two ornithological works, , viz. “ the young are brown in their plumage for the 
first year.” 
The wild and well-known call of the AATld Swan may be described as resembling the words “ AVhoop, 
AATioop ; ” the note, however, varies considerably in tone and strength, though wind and weather may have 
something to do with the sound. I never attempted to imitate their call, but have lepeatedly seen these birds 
turn in answer to the shouts of the marshmen in the eastern counties ; on one occasion half a dozen hovered 
round and finally settled on the water within a hundred yards of the bank on which our boat was brought up. 
Swans both by day and at night, when unsuspicious of danger, may be heard making a low chattering or grating 
noise, which would scarcely be audible at the distance of above forty or fifty yards. This sound might possibly 
be caused by the actions of the mandibles, though, to the best of my judgment, it appeared to resemble a low 
call-note. 
* Swans were not expected so early in tlie season, or more suitable charges would have been in readiness. 
