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OTIDlD.i:. 
no danger ; but the best way of obtaining them is by driving 
when the corn is sufficiently high to shelter the guns, which 
it usually is by the end of March. It is necessary to have for 
a Bustard-drive, with any chance of success, at least four guns; 
the more the better ; and as the birds fly almost always well 
within shot of the ground, they are very easily killed if they 
pass over the spot where a gun is posted. Indeed, considering 
the size of the bird, it is wonderful how light a wound will 
bring one down. I have seen an old male when winged 
and, as it were, brought to bay, turn round and charge his 
pursuer. This diversion of Bustard-driving is rather expen- 
sive sport, and often, like the Irishman's pig, they refuse to 
be driven in the required direction ; so, beyond the novelty of 
the affair, and the sight of so many of these truly noble birds 
on the wing, there is nothing very exciting in the sport ; and, 
as in all " driving," there is no sporting-skill required on the 
part of the shooter. Nevertheless the thorough enjoyment of 
the bright and glorious climate, and the sense of fx'cedom to 
go where you wish without being warned off as a trespasser, 
and, last, but not least, the sociable nature of the " entertain- 
ment^^ render a few days' Bustard-driving very agreeable. 
There is, however, the lamentable fact that the game is not 
very much worth having, the flesh being dry and coarse ; at 
least such has been the case with almost all that I have tasted. 
One circumstance in favour of these excursions after Bus- 
tard is that they are easily managed from Seville by starting 
by the early morning train and returning late in the evening, 
and there is no trouble in having to search for uncomfortable 
country quarters for the night. 
The man we always employed to drive was one Molino, of 
Algaba, a small village or pueblo on the Guadalquivir, above 
Seville, a wiry active little fellow, but with an enormous 
capacity for meat and wine. He never attempted to drive 
the birds with more than three men, including himself; but 
his skilful management, owing to his knowledge of the birds 
and the ground, and consequently of the route they would 
take, was something marvellous. Molino is always employed 
by some Sevillanos, w ho regularly several times in the spring 
