244 Unexplored Spain 



of Otis tarda. Once on the wing the whole band is off with wide 

 swino-insf flight to the hiofhest ground in the neiohbouihood. 



The chase of the great bustard presents cliaracteristics and 

 attractions peculiar to itself and differing from that of all other 

 winged game. Kather it resembles the scientific pursuit of big 

 <i-ame ; for this is a sport in which the actual shot becomes 

 of secondary importance, merely a culminating incident — the 

 consummation of previous forethought, fieldcraft, and general- 

 ship. Success in bustard-shooting — alike with success in stalking 

 — is usually attributable to the leader, who has planned the 

 operation and directed the strategy, rather than to the man who 

 may have actually killed the game. We here refer exclusively to 

 what we may be permitted to call the scientific aspect of this 

 chase, as practised by ourselves and as distinguished from other 

 (and far more deadly) methods in vogue among the Spanish 

 herdsmen and peasantry. Before describing the former system, 

 let us glance at native methods of securing the great bustard. 



During the greater part of the year bustard are far too wary 

 to be obtained by the fcirm-hands and shepherds who see them 

 every day — so accustomed are the peasantry to the sight of these 

 noble birds that little or no notice is taken of them and their 

 pursuit regarded as impracticable. There is, however, one period of 

 the year when the great bustard falls an easy prey to the clumsiest 

 of o-unners. 



During the long Andalucian summer a torrid sun has drunk up 

 every brook and stream that crosses the cultivated lands ; the 

 chinky, cracked mud, which in winter formed the bed of shallow 

 lakes and lagoons, now^ yields no drop of 

 moisture for bird or beast. The larger rivers 

 still carry their waters from sierra to sea, 

 but an adaptive genius is required to utilise 

 these for purposes of irrigation. All water 

 required for the cattle is drawn up from 

 wells ; the old-world lever with its bucket 

 at one end and counterpoise at the other 

 has to provide for the needs of all. These 

 wells are distributed all over the plains. As the herdsmen put 

 the primitive contrivance into operation and swing up bucketful 

 after bucketful of cool water, the cattle crowd around, impatient 

 to receive it as it rushes down the stone troughing. The thirsty 



