io6 Unexplored Spain 



The essence of success lies in ascertaining precisely the exact 

 areas where fowl in quantity are " strongly haunted," by day and 

 niorht, too;ether with their reoular lines of flio;ht thence and 

 thereto. Obviously such exact knowledge in these vast marismas, 

 devoid of landmarks, demands careful observation, and it must 

 be remembered that these things change with every change of 

 weather and water. Having located such well-frequented resorts 

 or flight-lines, the degree of success will yet depend on the strength 

 of the " haunt." It may happen (despite all care) that the 

 partiality of the fowl for that special spot or route is merely 

 superficial and evanescent. A dozen shots and they have cleared 

 out, or altered their course. In the reverse case, so strong may 

 be their " haunt " that no amount of disturbance entirely drives 

 them away, and even those that have already been scared by 

 the sound of shootino- will vet return ag-ain and again. 



By night ducks feed in the slobby shallows and oozes, 

 but concealed by the samphire - growth which flourishes in 

 such places. Hence the use of the stanclieon-gun is not here 

 available as in the case of bare, plant-free, tidal flats at home 

 and elsewhere. 



In the dusk the ducks have arrived at these feeding-grounds 

 in quite small trips or bunches. But as the stars pale towards 

 the dawn, they depart in larger detachments, often numbering 

 hundreds in a pack. Still, such are their enormous numbers 

 that, even so, their shifting armies form an almost continuous 

 stream in the direction whither they take their course. But 

 where is that ? That is the problem on the solution of which the 

 fowler's success depends. We will presume that you have so 

 solved it. In that case, you will have witnessed, between an 

 hour before sun-up and half-an-hour thereafter, as marvellous a 

 procession as the scheme of bird-life can afford. 



Let us follow the fowl throughout that matutinal flight. 

 A.way through leagues of empty space they hold their course, 

 now high in air where vistas of brown samphire loom like land 

 and might conceal a lurking foe, anon lowering their flight where 

 sporadic sheets or lanes of open water break the tawny monotony. 

 Beyond all this, stretching away in open waters like an inland 

 sea, lies a big lucio. That is their goal. One by one, or in 

 dozens and scores, the infinite detachments re -unite to splash 



