36 



WILD SPAIN. 



second barrel (which is not usual), a third victim maj' be 

 added to his morning's spoils. 



Large numbers of bustards are destroyed thus every 

 summer. It is deadly work, and certain. Were the haunts 

 of the birds more studied, bustards might be annihilated 

 on these treacherous lines. 



Another primitive mode of capturing the Great Bustard 

 is also practised in winter. The increased value of game 

 during the colder months induces the bird-catchers, who 

 supply the markets with myriads of ground-larks, linnets 

 and buntings, occasionally to direct their skill towards the 

 capture of the aretardas. They employ the same means 

 as for the taking of the small fry — the cenccrro, or cattle- 

 bell, and dark lantern. As most cattle carry the cencerro 

 around their necks, the sound of the bells at close quarters 

 by night causes no alarm to the ground birds. The bird- 

 catcher, with his bright candle gleaming before its reflector 

 and the cattle-bell jingling at his wrist, prowds nightly 

 over the stubbles and wastes in search of roosting birds. 

 Any number of bewildered victims can thus be gathered, 

 for larks and such-like birds fall into a helpless state of 

 panic when once focussed in the bright rays of the lantern. 



When the bustard is the object of pursuit, two men are 

 requu'ed, one of whom carries a gun. The pack of 

 bustard will be carefully watched during the afternoon, 

 and not lost sight of when night comes until their sleej^ing- 

 quarters are ascertained. When quite dark, the tinkling 

 of the cencerro will be heard, and a ray of light will 

 surround the devoted bustards, charming or frightening 

 them — whichever it may be — into still life. As the 

 familiar sound of the cattle-bell becomes louder and 

 nearer, the ray of light brighter and brighter, and the 

 surrounding darkness more intense, the bustards are too 

 charmed, or too dazed, to fly. Then comes the report, and 

 a charge of heavy shot works havoc among them. As 

 bands of bustards are numerous, this poaching plan might 

 be carried out night after night : but, luckily, the bustards 

 will not stand the same experience twice. On a second 

 attempt being made, they are off as soon as the light is 



