6o 



Unexplored Spain 



as a rule, foxes and lynxes — creatures which move on impulse, 

 and instantly quit a zone where danger threatens. Both, how- 

 ever, will certainly pass unseen should there be any scrub to 

 conceal their retreat. The lynx especially is adept at utilising 

 cover, however slight. Should open patches or sandy glades 

 occur among the bush, foxes will be viewed bundling along, to 

 all appearance quite carelessly. Here in Spain foxes are merely 

 " vermin " ; but it is a mistake to shoot them, owing to the risk 

 of thereby turning back better game. Neither lynx nor fox, by 

 the way, are accounted caza mayor unless killed with a bullet. 



WW' 7 



f 



SYL VIA MELANOCEPHALA 



(Sardinian waihler ; conspicuous liy its strong colour-contrasts.) 



As elsewhere mentioned, there is always a considerable 

 possibility at the earlier period of a " drive " (and even before 

 the operation has actually commenced) of some old and highly 

 experienced stag attempting to slip through the line in tlie 

 calculated hope (wdiich is often well founded) that he will thereby 

 take most of the guns by surprise and so escape unshot at. 

 Never be unready. 



Although in " driving," that element of ceaseless personal 

 effort, observation and self-reliance that characterise stalking, 

 still -hunting, or spooring, is necessarily reduced, yet it is by 

 no means eliminated. Nor are there lacking compensating 

 charms in those hours of silent expectancy spent in the solitude 

 of jungle or amid the aromatic fragrance of pine-forest. Every 



