292 BIRD LIFE IN ENGLAND. 



to be allowed to spread nets to catch birds of passage, varies 

 in amount from four to ten francs. In some cantons, how- 

 ever, an extra charge is made when sporting dogs are used. 

 In others, again, temporary permits are granted to non- 

 residents for limited periods, at the rate of one franc fifty- 

 centimes per day. Lastly, the authorities in a few of the 

 cantons are allowed to grant temporary permissions to 

 distinguished foreigners, and to minors to go out in the 

 company of regularly licensed sportsmen. 



The only canton where game is said to be found in any 

 considerable quantities is that of Aargau, which has not 

 adopted the licence system. Its territory is divided for 

 sporting purposes into seventy-two districts (" jagdreviere "), 

 which are let on an eight years' lease by the State, at public 

 auction, to the highest qualified bidders. The annual amount 

 of the rent has to be paid in advance at the beginning of 

 each year. The lessors cannot sublet, and not above six 

 persons can enter into partnership to bid for the lease of 

 a district. Their names have to be registered, and any 

 subsequent changes among the co-lessors, should there be 

 several, have to be at once notified to the proper authorities, 

 and their consent thereto duly obtained. Leases cannot be 

 held by individuals who are neither citizens of the canton 

 nor have obtained the right of domicile. 



The ordinary shooting season begins on the 1st of 

 September, and generally ends on the 31st of December ; 

 but in some cantons it is not opened until the 1st of 

 October. As a rule, shooting is not permitted in cultivated 

 land until the crops have been completely gathered in, or in 

 vineyards until the vintage is over. Moreover, the authori- 

 ties reserve to themselves the right, under special circum- 

 stances, of delaying the period appointed for the commence- 

 ment of the shooting season. Snipe, woodcocks, and other 

 birds of passage may be killed between the beginning of 

 March and the middle of April, and in some parts of the 

 country up to the end of the latter month. In no instance 



