. The wild-fowler : a treatise on ancient and modern wild-fowling, historical and practical . WILD-SWAN SHOOTING. 203 or ornamental waters wliere they were reared, take wing, soaring-high in the air, and make direct for the sea-coast; when, shouldthey chance to alight in the neighbourhood of punts and guns, theyare almost certain to fall victims to the first gunner who goes in pur-suit ; and who, regardless of swan-marks, swan-herdsmen, and swan-laws, is only too proud to secure a specimen of the monarch of thewaters. Many fabulous assertions have been set up by ancient writers as tothe musica
. The wild-fowler : a treatise on ancient and modern wild-fowling, historical and practical . WILD-SWAN SHOOTING. 203 or ornamental waters wliere they were reared, take wing, soaring-high in the air, and make direct for the sea-coast; when, shouldthey chance to alight in the neighbourhood of punts and guns, theyare almost certain to fall victims to the first gunner who goes in pur-suit ; and who, regardless of swan-marks, swan-herdsmen, and swan-laws, is only too proud to secure a specimen of the monarch of thewaters. Many fabulous assertions have been set up by ancient writers as tothe musical notes said to be uttered by a dying swan; and such wereonce alluded to by Sir Edward Coke, in giving judgment upon aswan case.* But this sweet singing of the swan, when dying, hasbeen repeatedly contradicted, as will be seen by the referencesbelow, t The hoopers, or wild-swans, afford fine amusement, and try thepunters skill as much as any of the wild-fowl species. They aregenerally very wild and diificult of approach ; but, with cunning andpatience, combined with a little ingenuity, a
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1860, booksubjectfowling, bookyear1864
