ii6 Unexplored Spain 



each mornino- to these spots, yet those numbers are but a small 

 proportion of their entire aggregate, for no individual goose needs 

 to replenish his supply of sand or grit more often than perhaps 

 once a week, or even less frequently. Hence at each dawn it is a 

 fresh contingent of geese that comes in i^ara ai'endrse = to " sand 

 themselves," as our keepers put it. 



One other quality in the natural economy of wild-geese 

 requires mention — that is, their sense of scent. This defence 

 wild-geese possess in equal degree with wild-ducks and most 

 other wild creatures ; but each class differ in their modes of 

 utilising it. 



For whereas ducks on detecting human scent will take instant 

 alarm and depart afar on that indication alone ; yet geese, on 

 the other hand, though their nostrils have fully advised them of 

 the presence of danger, will not at once take wing, but remain — 

 with necks erect and all eyes concentrated towards the suspect 

 point — awaiting confirmation by sight what they already know 

 by scent. 



That such is the case we ascertained in the days (now long 

 past) when we ventured to stalk geese with no more covert than 

 the low fringe of rush that borders the marisma. " Gatiando " 

 = cat-crouching, our keepers term the method — laborious w^ork, 

 creeping flat for, it may be, 200 yards, through sloppy mud with 

 less than two-foot of cover. Should it become necessary during 

 the stalk to go directly to windward of the fowl, one's presence 

 (though quite unseen) would be instantly detected. The geese, 

 ceasing to feed or rest, all stood to attention, while low, rumbling 

 alarm-signals resounded along their lines. But they did not 

 take wing. Presently, however, one reached a gap in the thickly 

 growing rushes — it might not extend to a yard in width, yet 

 no sooner was but a glimpse available to the keen eyes beyond, 

 than the whole pack rose in simultaneous clatter of throats 

 and wings. They had merely waited that scintilla of ocular 

 confirmation of a known danger. 



" Driving " (in a Dky Season) 



For four months no rain had fallen. The parched earth 

 gaped with cavernous cracks ; vegetation was dried up ; starving 

 cattle stood about listless, and every day one saw the assembled 

 vultures devouring the carcases of those already dead. 



