136 Unexplored Spain 
something that approaches the human maximum alike in wild- 
fowling skill, in endurance, and in deadly earnest. 
That test of individual skill has, it may go without saying, 
been demonstrated during all these years times without number. 
There are not, within the authors’ knowledge, a score of men who 
have fairly gathered to their gun in one day 100 ducks in the 
open marisma. Again, while one such gun, who is thoroughly 
efficient, will secure his century, others (including excellent 
game-shots) will fail to bag one-tenth of that number. There 
can be no question here of “luck” in that long run of years. 
A feature, more valuable than the figures themselves, is the 
light they throw upon the varying distribution of the Anatidae 
(both specifically and seasonably) in the south of Spain. 
1897. November 10.—OnE Gun (W. J. B.) 
Dawn at El Puntal 6 geese 
Forenoon at Santolalla 128 ducks 
Afternoon ,, 2 stags 
1897. November 25.—Las Nuevas (C. D. W. and B. F. B.) 
307 ducks, 53 geese 
(Geese, all the afternoon, came well in to clecoys) 
1898. January 29, 30, and 31—Two Guys (W. D. M. and W. J. B.) 
437 ducks, 17 geese 
1903, January 18—FLieHT-SHooTING wITH 12-BoRE at CaNo Dutce (onE Guy) 
139 Wigeon 
32 Pintail 
20 Teal 
22 Shovelers 
10 Gadwall 
1 Mallard 
3 Greylag Geese 
Total, 224 ducks and 3 geese. About one-half shot on natural flight before 
11 a.m. ; the rest later, over “decoys.” Nice breeze all day. 
1903. February—TareE Consecutive Days’ FLIcHTING (ONE Guy) 
February 22. February 23. February 24. 
Pintails 49 39 68 
Wigeon 17 18 5 
Shovelers 41 70 2 
Teal . 10 17 2 
Gadwall 1 0 3 
Marbled Duck 1 (0) (0) 
Garganey 1 1 0 
Malard 0 0 1 
