TURKEY 



427 



nople that, though in Asia, they may, for practical purposes, be 

 considered as making part of the European sportsman's beats. 



The Ismidt marsh extends for several miles at the end of the 

 Gulf, and it is easy to fire from 80 to 100 cartridges a day there; 

 the number of snipe bagged of course depends on the shooter. 

 There is fair hotel accommodation and easy rail conimunication. 



Duck shooting has not been much practised of late years. 



Hobart Pasha used a swivel-gun with effect, both at Kutchuk 



Chekmedjee, and in the waters of the Marmora and 



Duck, 

 the Gulf of Ismidt, but the birds are usually too shy to 



give a common 12-bore any chance of bagging more than a stray one 

 now and then. Occasionally, during severe snowy weather, a score 

 or two may be shot along the coast between Stamboul and San 

 Stefano in a steam-launch, but duck shootino- has no claim to be 

 counted as one of the sports of Turkey. 



The principal and best shooting round Constantinople is un- 

 doubtedly afforded by woodcock, and there are few places where this 



bird is found in such numbers during so long a period. 



Woodcock. 

 The first cock usually arrive about the third or fourth 



week of September, and they may be shot up to the middle of 

 February, and even in March and April on the return passage. The 

 real flight, however, takes place between the end of September and 

 the middle of November, after which the birds found are those which 

 have elected to stay over the season. The first cold wet weather in 

 October is sure to bring in large flocks, but a few fine days send them 

 all up to the mountain-tops, only to be driven down by another snow- 

 storm. If the snow is heavy and continuous, all the cock huddle 



