On Small-Game Shooting in Spain 





only in September. Some appear then to retire to Africa, along with the 

 turtle-doves — the latter a bird that surely deserves passing note, since 

 few are smarter on wing or afford quicker snap-shooting while passing by 

 millions through this country every autumn. 



The conditions above indicated prevail over a vast proportion 

 of rural Spain, which tlius presents small attraction to wandering 

 gunner, however humble his ideals. 



There are other regions where the landowners, though in no 

 sense " preserving," yet prohibit free entry on their properties 

 owing to damage done — such as disturbing stock, stampeding 

 cattle on to cultivation in a land where no fences exist, and so 

 on. Naturally such ground carries more game, and subject to 

 permission being received, fair and sometimes excellent sport is 

 attainable. Thus, on one such property the tangled woods of wild 

 olive abound with woodcock, though difficulties are presented by 

 the impenetrable character of the briar-bound thickets. Were 

 "rides" cut and clearings enlarged quite large bags of woodcock 

 might be secured. The rough scrubby hills adjoining carry a fair 

 stock of partridge, and we have often killed forty or fifty snipe in 

 the marshy valleys that intervene. The following will serve as 

 an example of three consecutive days' shooting on such unpreserved 

 ground (two guns — s. d. and B, f. b.) : — 



Three days in February on similar ground, but in an 

 unfavourable season, yielded 79 snipe, 5 woodcock, 19 golden 

 plovers, 3 lesser bustard, a hare, and a few sundries. 



Lebrija, December 1897. — Two Guxs, C. D. W. and B. F. B. (Half-day) 

 117 snipe (mostly driven) 



Lebrija, Noveviher 16, 1904. — Same Two Gdns 

 112 snipe, 2 mallard, 1 curlew 



Casas Viejas, November 19, 1906.— Three Guns (S. D., C. D. W., and B. F. B.) 

 123 snipe, 1 mallard, 5 teal 



