270 SPORT IN EUROPE 



off almost as soon as it perceives the cart at a standstill. As there 

 is not the least chance of getting closer than 200 yards, if indeed 

 as close, the best weapon is an accurate rifle of small bore, the '303 

 sporting Lee-Metford being, I fancy, unrivalled for such work. The 

 mark is no easy one, and even the finest shots of my acquaintance 

 reckon on four misses to every hit ; but bustards are so plentiful that 

 it is the sportsman's own fault if he returns without bringing several 

 with him in the cart. Bustard shooting is at its best early in April, 

 before the laying season, and while the corn is still short. It is 

 then that the male bird is in splendid condition, weighing well over 

 30 lbs., and having the face ornamented with a pair of bristling 

 moustaches that he presently, towards the end of April, will lose 

 in fierce combat with his rivals. This bustard shooting has much 

 to recommend it to foreigners visiting the country for sport, for the 

 best localities are but three hours by rail from the capital, and 

 peasants with carts are usually in waiting at the stations to attend 

 the sportsman to the shooting grounds. These fellows have a 

 wonderful knowledge of both the likely spots and the habits of the 

 birds. Moreover, most of the best bustard country is in no way 

 preserved, and may consequently be shot over without previously 

 obtaining permission. The birds are, however, protected by law 

 throughout the summer, and should be sought in either April or 

 October. There are times in winter when, a fall of rain being 

 followed by a hard frost, they are unable to fly, and the country- 

 folk formerly hunted them down in this helpless state on horse- 

 back or with greyhounds, but this wretched sport is now forbidden 

 by law. 



