34^ 



Unexplored Spain 



concealed by a single bush in front. At the third or fourth call a 

 wild-cat sprani^ from the thicket beyond, fairly flew the inter- 

 vening thirty yards at a bound, and landed in the single bush at 

 our feet (precisely where the "rabbit" should have been) before 

 a gun could be raised. What a marvellous exhibition of wild 

 hunting ! 



In this case, too, we had had notice in advance by the noisy 

 rising of a pair of partridges sixty yards away in the bush. That 

 cat scaled 12^^ lbs. dead-weisfht. 



All the beasts - of - prey can be secured in this manner. 

 February is their pairing-season ; but the best time for '• calling" 



IMPERIAL EAGLE PASSING OVERHEAD 

 (The spectator is presuineil to be lying on liis back I) 



is a month or so later — in March and April — when young rabbits 

 appear and when the alimanas themselves have their litters 

 to feed. 



Feathered raptores, such as eagles, kites, and buzzards, can also 

 be obtained by " calling," but, as above indicated, their loftier 

 position enables them to see the guns, and it is necessary in their 

 case to prepare a covered shelter in which one can stand, concealed 

 from above. 



4. Watching. — The fourth and last system brings one face to 

 ftice with wild nature in her nocturnal aspects. Such aspects (to 

 the majority of mankind) are unknown ; but night-work, whether 

 at home, in Africa, or in Spain, has always strongly appealed to 

 the writers. Wild creatures do not go to bed at night like lazy 

 men ; on the contrary, night is the period of fullest activity for a 

 large proportion of God's creation, whether of fur or feather. To 

 form an intimate personal acquaintance (however imperfect) with 

 these, the comfort of the blankets must be sacrificed. 



