THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
For readers who may not be intimate with the precise value of such data, 
we are tempted to quote the following from “ Short Stalks,” p. 225. Re- 
ferring to a superb stag of 43£ inches shot in Asia Minor, Mr Buxton 
writes: “ No such stag as this, to the best of my knowledge, has been seen 
in Western Europe, at least for many generations.” Spain, however, as 
shown above, approaches it very closely. 
ROE DEER, known as Corzo , are found in wooded and scrub -clad 
hills throughout Spain. There is, however, no special feature in the Spanish 
animal or in its chase that calls for specific remark. A pair of good Spanish 
roe -buck heads measure: 
Length. Circumference. Tip to Tip. 
No. 1 .... 9h .... 3£ .... 3f inches. 
No. 2 .... 9i .... 4f .... 3 inches. 
FALLOW DEER, in Spanish Gatno. — Amidst the wild waste of hills that 
cover all northern Estremadura, and in the wooded glens that dip down 
towards the Tagus, fallow deer are indigenous. In the province of Caceres 
they occur especially at Las Corchuelas and Valero, and also in the Montes 
de Toledo. These purely wild fallow are heavier and handsomer than those 
of parks and preserves. The latter type is abundant enough, especially 
in the Royal Patrimonios near Madrid and elsewhere. Being partially 
unenclosed, these deer have strayed and spread themselves over the 
country around; but the truly wild race only occurs as above defined. 
Presumably it belongs to a distinct “ sub-species.” 
WILD BOAR ( Javato ). — There is nothing to differentiate the pursuit of 
this animal in Spain from that in vogue elsewhere — at least, as regards 
the gun. Being nocturnal in habit and frequenting only the denser jungle, 
it follows that “ driving ” is the only means of presenting the boar as a 
mark for the rifle. So continuous are these thickets, devoid of interspersed 
opens, that “ pig-sticking ” on Anglo-Indian lines is impracticable. But 
the Spanish are born horsemen, and many of their dashing riders — from 
King Alfonso downwards — are wont to kill boar with the lance ( garrocha ). 
The help of dogs as auxiliaries is, however, essential, since otherwise the 
course of the flying game amidst saddle -high scrub of cistus, genista, 
giant heather, and all the varied shrubbery of the South could not be 
followed. The man who, in Spanish jungle, can spear a pig, even with the 
aid of hounds, could probably kill him anywhere. 
THE BROWN BEAR is nowhere numerous, but has his main stronghold 
among the Asturian mountains, spreading thence eastward to the 
394 
