296 SPORT IN EUROPE 



Lofoten islands ; the best of it has been for many years leased by 

 Englishmen. In a good season two guns have no difficulty in 

 bagging from 1,500 to 1,800 brace over dogs." 



Towards the north of Sweden the bird is also ubiquitous 

 wherever the ground suits it, and some of the best shooting is to 

 be had in the province of Jemtland, not far from the Norwegian 

 border, and in other localities along the divide, running up to the 

 wilds of Lapland. 



Dogs — setters, pointers, or spaniels — are, as a rule, necessary for 



willow-grouse shooting with anything like steady success, but, when 



unusually abundant in low scrub, the birds may be 

 Dogs. 



walked up with the aid of two or three beaters. 



Unluckily for the sportsman, the peasants have in Norway the 

 right of snaring all kinds of winged game ; but it is hoped that 

 this practice may be checked before long by fresh legislation. 



By the new game-laws, 1899, it is forbidden to shoot or snare 

 capercailzie, black game, ryper, and hjerpe before September 15th, 

 and an alien must take out a game licence, costing rather over ^5. 

 Game is made the property of the landowner, and may not be killed 

 in any way without his permission. This checks the "free-shooters," 

 who have hitherto been allowed to shoot where they pleased without a 

 dog. There is a small tax placed on snaring. An alien may not 

 shoot small game on any state or communal lands over which 

 Norwegian subjects have free rights. The districts of Lofoten and 

 Vesteraalen are exempted from the action of this law as regards the 

 close-time for small game. With this exception, by fixing September 

 I 5th as the opening day, the authorities have practically put a stop to 



