Part 37 (1/2)

These specially selected _replazas_ number thirty, and are sold for the entire season, the prices varying from 150 for No 1 down to about 6 for No 30

These thirty ”reserved stalls” having been disposed of in public co e is a dollar or two per day) are then apportioned by drawing lots Finally, licences are issued at a few pesetas to shoot fro the reeds at specified spots, but which the licensee

The su forty years varied between 7500 and 23,000 pesetas (say 300 to 900), a record price being obtained in 1868, namely, 40,000 pesetas Theto obtain the cession of the Albufera froun-posts used are either flat-botto reed-bed; or, should no cover be available, sunken tubs masked by reeds or rice-stalks The posts are fixed nominally at a rifle-shot (_tiro de bala_) apart--say 200 yards

Regular fixed shoots take place every Saturday throughout the season, with, however, certain s to the fowl a period of rest and quiet on their first arrival, and partly due to the festivals of St Martin and St Catherine being public days and free to all

The species of ducks obtained on Albufera do not differ from those at Dai-ducks are more conspicuous than on the shallower rice-swamps of the Caldereria

(2) THE CALDEREiA

In contrast with the Albufera (and with Daioon, but sirounds (_arrozales_), such inundation being necessary for the cultivation of that grain

The rice-grounds of the Caldereria belong to the three adjacent communes of Sueca, Cullera, and Sollana--held in a joint peasant-proprietorshi+p

The flooding of the _arrozales_ was co the cultivation of rice, co of wildfowl in nets (_paranses_) It was, however, early seen that the enormous quantities of wild-ducks attracted to the spot were of alrain-crop, and the fame of the Caldereria attracted troops of sportsmen from all parts of Spain This influx, for some years, the local authorities endeavoured to check, with a view to securing the sport for local residents--who, by the anted to enjoy this good thing at the price of a dollar a year! In 1880 it was decided to put up to auction the different shooting-posts, or _replazas_, without any restriction

The whole of the _arrozales_ are accordingly divided into defined sections called _replazas_, each perhaps 500 or 600 yards square, forh the various _replazas_ are quite irregular in shape and size These are sold by public auction at a fixed date The best positions realise as e rental is thus obtained yearly, so asarea is their coer is personally interested in the value and success of the shooting, and each thus becoa autumn and up to the first shoot never a hurounds; and the enorate thereon enjoy uninterrupted peace and security up to mid-November More favourable conditions it is impossible to conceive--on the Albufera, for exa boats, etc

The first shoot of the year takes place about the date just nahth day thereafter up to the rounds are run dry

Upon the completion of the auction sales there is announced a definite day and hour at which (and at which _only_) the lessor is perrounds, in order to prepare his shelter Should he olect this opportunity, he is not afterwards allowed to touch it until the actual rounds no natural cover whatever, it is essential to prepare soes required for the purpose ht from elsewhere

Across each _replaza_, or conceded space, is erected a double line of screens, two yards apart and carefully”lane” are fixed two or more sunken tubs wherein the shooters can sit concealed

Hardly has ht struck on that eventful hways and byways, on land and water, are crowded byforces; across the dark waters move forth whole squadrons of boats, punts and launches, each one steering a course towards sohts are allowed and no sound shocks theof wave--no huht is filled with music”; the pall overhead, the unseen wastes on every side are vocal ildfowl cries Continuously the still air is rent and cleft by the rush of ht and left, before and behind, pass hurrying hosts, their violent flight resonant as the wash of an angry sea But never a shot is fired That is against the rules

Shortly before sunrise the note of a bugle announces to hundreds of inal ”Open fire,” and in that instant the fusillade froes like a battle For a solid hour, nay, for two and sometimes three, fire continues incessant First to beco the shores; the minor _replazas_ slacken down next, and by noon all save two or three of the best posts are reduced to a desultory and dropping fire

Then a second signal indicates that the ”pick-up” unner is pera cripples, etc, induces a short renewal of the fusillade; but soon all is silent once s out, and at once every sportsround

Besides the lessees of the auction-sold _puestos_ (many of whoather on these occasions all the local gunners; and far away beyond those sacred areas secured by purchase there for lines of fowlers by the distant shore; so that, between the private and privileged _puestos_ and the free public lines outside, there unners Hence these _tiradas_ partake of the character of a popular festival Yet in spite of such nuer, so perfect are the rules and so scrupulously are they observed

With so uns scattered over wide areas no precise record of the exact nu to the estie, as many as 22,000 to 23,000 head (ducks and coots) are obtained in a single uns in the best _replazas_ run froures

At the first shoot of the year fully 25 per cent of the spoil are coots; but at the later shoots ducks are obtained in greater proportion, as coots then quit the rice-grounds These later shoots do not produce quite such stupendous totals; but still i