332^ Unexplored Spain 



Partridge-Shooting 



Passing from the use of the reclamo, of which we have no 

 personal experience, w^e turn to the system practised in the Goto 

 Donana. Here we always have the marisma borderinor, as an 

 inhmd sea, our northern frontage. Upon that fact the system 

 known as " averando" is based. 



A line of six or eight guns, with sufficient beaters between, 

 and mounted keepers on either flank (the wdiole extending over, 

 say, half-a-mile of front), is formed up at a distance of a mile or two 

 inland from the marisma. On advancing, with the wings thrown 

 forward, and mounted men skirmishing ahead, a space comprising 

 Imndreds of acres of scrub is thus enclosed. The partridge, running 

 forward among the cistus or rising far beyond gunshot, are 

 gradually pushed down towards the w^ater ; then, as the advancing 

 line approaches the marisma, with the belts of rush and sedge that 

 border it, the work begins. The game, unwilling to face the 

 w^ater, perforce come swinging back over the shooting - line. 

 Naturally on seeing encompassing danger in full view behind 

 and barring their retreat, the partridge spin up heavenwards — 

 higher and yet higher, till they finally pass over the guns at a 

 height and speed and with a pronounced curve that ensures the 

 maximum of difficulty in every shot offered. 



In this final stage of the operation grow cork-oaks whose 

 bulk and evergreen foliage add further complexity for the gunner. 



It illustrates the exertions made by the partridges to attain 

 an altitude and a speed sufficient to carry them safely over the 

 clearly-seen danger below, that should a bird which has succeeded 

 in thus running the gauntlet happen to be found after the beat 

 is over, it will often be too exhausted to rise again. Such tired 

 birds are often caught by the dogs. 



As many as six or eight averos, as they are termed, 

 may be carried out during a winter's day. The walking in 

 places is apt to be rougli, through jungle and bush — chiefly cistus 

 and rosemary, but intermixed w^ith tree- heaths, brooms, and 

 gorse — intercepted w^ith stretches of water which must be w^aded 

 Avithout wincing, for it is essential that each man (gun or 

 beater) maintains correctly his allotted position in the advance. 



Naturally in a sandy waste, devoid of corn or tillage of any 

 kind, partridge cannot be numerous. They are, moreover, subject 



