344 Unexplored Spain 



greater certainty we have adopted tlie plan of a " drag." Two or 

 three hours before taking our positions (that is, shortly after 

 midnight), a keeper rides along f\ir outside on the sand, trailing 

 behind his horse a bunch of split-open rabbits. Upon arriving 

 outside the intended position of each gun, he directs his course 

 inwards, thus dragging the bait close up to the post. Then 

 taking a fresh bunch of rabbits, he repeats the operation to each 

 post in turn. Thus every incoming beast must strike the scented 

 trail at one point or another. Occasionally one will follow the 

 drag right into the exjiectant gun, more often (the animals being 

 full at that hour) it will leave the trail after following it for a 

 greater or less distance. Some ignore it altogether. This applies 

 to all sorts. The sand, as day dawns, forms a regular lexicon of 

 spoor. One can trace each movement of the night. There go 

 the plantigrade tracks of a badger, and hard by the light-footed 

 prints of mongoose, mice, and an infinity of minor creatures. 



Foxes most frequently capture their prey in fair chase, running 

 them down, as shown by the double spoor ending in blood. 

 Lynxes never chase ; they kill by stalking, and a crouching 

 spoor ends in a spring. Both these habitually carry away or bury 

 all they do not devour on the spot. 



From the end of January onwards (that being the pairing- 

 season) foxes may often be seen abroad by daylight in couples, 

 and in such case, provided they are seen first, are easily brought- 

 up by "calling." Lynxes never show-up so by daylight, but an 

 hour or two before dawn their weird wailing cries may be heard in 

 the bush from mid-February onwards. 



The mongoose is perhaps the least easily secured, being 

 absolutely nocturnal and running so low (like a giant weasel) as 

 to be almost invisible, however slight the covert. It is, moreover, 

 an adept at concealment, and will scarcely be detected even at 

 thirty yards if stationary. The best way to secure specimens 

 of badger and mongoose is by digging-out their breeding-earths 

 or warrens. An initial difficulty is to find the earths amid 

 leagues of scrub or rugged mountain-sides ; and even when located 

 it may be necessary to burn off half an acre of brushwood before 

 the spade can be brought into action. From one set of earths 

 we have succeeded in dioo-inor out five bio- monsoose alive. 



