s 



BELGIUM 



By HENRI QUERSIN 



O far as its geographical situation goes, Belgium should be 



a paradise for the sportsman. Rabbits swarm in incredible 



numbers in the girdle of sand-dunes, measuring roughly 



1- u-i . ^u General 



forty English miles, that mark its coast-lme. whilst the ^^^^.^^^^^_ 



Scheldt, to which is owing the pre-eminence of Antwerp tions. 



among ports, embraces, particularly in the Dutch waters, 



deep creeks, the favourite haunts of wild fowl. In mild winters these 



waters are covered with legions of wigeon. In summer time, herds 



of seals enliven the sand -banks, while the open water is broken by 



the gambols of lively porpoises. A good deal of shooting is therefore 



done afloat, either in little steam launches, or from the decks of small 



sailino- boats without keels, and on this sport, for ducks, geese and 



such kind, there is little or no restriction. At first sight, 



the craft used in this way by sportsmen, who live on ^^^^^^ 



board, may look curious, but the fact is they are Sportsmen. 



admirably suited to the work, for their low draught 



facilitates their navigation between shifting banks, and moreover the 



accommodation below is often excellent. (See photograph, page 93.) 



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