DENMARK 105 



Sometimes the wind is such that the seals do not go near the reef 

 at all ; but under favourable circumstances they will swim up along- 

 side, as a rule only showing the head and a little of the neck over the 

 water-line. When to this we add the fact that the sea is often agitated 

 and choppy, it will be understood that a seal's head at one hundred 

 yards is a sporting target for a good shot. If the seal is hit, a spot of 

 blood is at once seen on the water ; if killed immediately, the seal will 

 be found straight underneath on the bottom ; but, if only wounded, 

 there is very little chance of finding him. If the seal has gone down 

 in deep water, it is difficult to see him and to bring him to the surface. 

 Sometimes you may be fortunate enough to shoot a seal while he suns 

 himself on a stone, but as the animal is very shy and cautious, the 

 range is as a rule very long. The result of such a day's shooting is 

 naturally not great. Sometimes most of the day is spent on the reef 

 without result, and at other times you may bring home two seals in 

 your boat. After a few clays' shooting, at the same place, the seals 

 very often do not approach the reef, but migrate for some time to 

 other spots till peace is restored. 



If in the preceding pages I have not mentioned different kinds 

 of game which are numerous and offer good sport in the countries 

 adjoining Denmark, the reason is that they are either not to be 

 found, or are present in such small quantities that they do not offer 

 any general interest. With these latter must be counted the black- 

 cock ; and among the first are the ptarmigan, the rabbit and the 



oTOuse. 



