310 BIRD LIFE IN ENGLAND. 



royal enclosed preserves, or " pleasantries, " and in small 

 numbers on some few private estates. In the large forests 

 and mountainous districts, red deer are tolerably numerous ; 

 and there are, besides, capercailzies, or cock-of-the-wdod, 

 blackgame, ptarmigan, hazel-hens (a small description of 

 wood grouse, unknown in the British Isles), and red-legged 

 partridges ; and the higher ridges on the Bavarian borders 

 towards the Vorarlberg, the Tyrol, and Salzburg, afford 

 some of the best chamois hunting in Europe. These last- 

 named grounds belong chiefly to the crown, and are care- 

 fully preserved against intruders. 



The following are some of the minor provisions of the 

 law of the 30th of March, 1850, respecting the chase : 



No person is allowed to shoot, or otherwise go in pursuit 

 of game, without being provided with a licence or card of 

 permission. These cards are issued by the police authorities 

 of the several districts to all persons applying for them, who 

 are not under legal disability, and they are valid for one 

 calendar year, and for the whole kingdom. Each card is 

 available for one person only, and it must be made out in 

 his name, and with his "signalement." The charge for 

 each is eight florins. A fine, not exceeding twenty-five 

 florins, to be recovered by the police authorities, or a pro- 

 portionate term of imprisonment, is imposed upon all persons 

 found in pursuit of game without being provided with one 

 of the above-mentioned cards ; or who make use of a card 

 issued in the name of another person, or who take with them 

 as a companion or guest in the chase a person carrying a 

 gun and not provided with the necessary card ; or who are 

 found in pursuit of game on land (the right of shooting on 

 which does not belong to them), without being accompanied 

 by the person to whom that right belongs, or by an authorized 

 guard or keeper ; or who, whilst in pursuit of game, infringe 

 the police regulations with reference to the protection of 

 field crops, forests, etc. ; and, lastly, who refuse to exhibit 

 their card when called upon to do so by a duly authorized 



