344 Unexplored Spain 
greater certainty we have adopted the plan of a “drag.” Two or 
three hours before taking our positions (that is, shortly after 
midnight), a keeper rides along far 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 expectant 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 digging out five big mongoose alive. 
