BELGIUM 83 



of Vermand (Alsne, France), and Mr. C. Radcliffe, of Wareham 

 (Dorset, England). Yet the vast plains of Flanders, the heaths 

 of the Campine, and many parts of Belgium would eminently lend 

 themselves to this form of sport, and the lack of interest shown 

 in it by the Belgians is the more remarkable when it is remembered 

 that most of the passage hawks flying to the British Islands are 

 captured at their very door. Karl Mollen, of the village of Valken- 

 •swaard, has made quite a name as a trapper of hawks. 



III.— SHOOTING 



It will now be convenient briefly to enumerate the kinds of game 

 found in Belgium. 



There are still occasional examples of the old Belgian stag, 



known as the stao- of St. Hubert, accommodated in the Crown forest 



of Freyr and comparatively sheltered. The stags that 



Red Deer. 

 inhabit the forests of the Ardennes are descended from 



a German herd imported at great expense thirty or five-and-thirty 



years ago. The country would seem to have suited them, for, 



although the terrible winter of 1890 made appreciable gaps in their 



ranks, they have increased surprisingly. The parcelling out of landed 



property is responsible for the popularity of the battue for both stags 



and other big game. The sportsman who is friendly with any of the 



larger landed proprietors should get leave to stalk a stag in the 



rutting time, towards the end of September. The memories of such 



an outing are indelible. 



Fallow deer have been imported and acclimatised, and the very 



