342 Unexplored Spain 
concealed by a single bush in front. At the third or fourth call a 
wild-cat sprang 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 124 lbs. dead-weight. 
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 presumed to be lying on his back !) 
is a month or so later—in March and April—when young rabbits 
appear and when the alimafas 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. Watcuinc.—The fourth and last system brings one face to 
face 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. 
