A CENTRAL PROVINCE SHOOT 35 



W. and I shot these jungles again in October 

 1922. 



I had two theories : (a) (not original) that the 

 tiger having been free from worry throughout the 

 rainy months would come out unsuspiciously on to 

 their kills ; {b) that the grass being thick, the tiger 

 would use the paths more than ever, and it was 

 there that they would be found, instead of by 

 the rivers as in the hot weather. 



Theory a was totally wrong. Theory b was 

 borne out in part. 



But I forgot the autumn running. These 

 brutes were all in love, and they would caterwaul 

 to each other all night, while the last things 

 they thought of were killing and food. They did 

 kill twelve of our tie-ups, but on the railway 

 refreshment - room plan — a hasty snack and a 

 drink of blood and then return no more. I have 

 seen nothing like it. We shot two tigers, and, as 

 may be imagined, they were stout old gentlemen 

 too sensible even in the love season to forego 

 their dinner and a glass of port. 



We were not making machans beforehand on 

 account of the numerous tie-ups. This was a bad 

 mistake and probably lost us some tiger. 



On these shoots, as well as on many others, I 

 look back with gratitude to the camaraderie and 

 help I always met with from my friends of all 

 ranks of the Imperial Forest Service. 



