186 INDIAN BIG GAME 



The above figures are not given in order to 

 claim any special skill, but to show that with 

 a worked -out system improved results can be 

 obtained. 



The carnivora, except when young or in love, 

 seldom kill for pleasure. They kill to live, and 

 killing is as much a business proposition with them 

 as is his daily journey to the city man. 



Unless a tiger has been scared by being fired 

 at, he means to come back and eat, and he prob- 

 ably does come back to the immediate neighbour- 

 hood. In case of the animal's non-return it is 

 for the sportsman to find out the reason in each 

 case. 



I have carefully examined all my own failures 

 and embody their lessons under the various 

 headings that follow. The Field, in a recent 

 issue, complains that shooting books are too 

 dictatorial. I certainly intend to be so now, 

 writing in plain and direct terms for the benefit 

 of the uninitiated. 



Notes on Sitting up where Beating is 

 impossible 



1. Locality for tying up. — Paths and 

 nullahs are the great highways of the carnivora. 

 Tie up where the tracks of these animals are most 

 frequent, selecting, if possible, a spot where 

 nullahs and paths converge. In the hot weather 

 tracks will be near water. I do not think it 

 is fair, even for carnivora, to sit up over water. 

 In tying up for sitting up there is a larger choice 

 of ground than for the ordinary beat tie-up 



