194 INDIAN BIG GAME 



For tiger one naturally selects a tree for security. 

 I once sat up on the ground, as mentioned else- 

 where, and wounded a tiger ; and when he lay 

 roaring and tumbling just in front of me I hated it. 

 You cannot have a tree that is too leafy or 

 too high. In fact a high tree will sometimes 

 show you the enemy seated behind a bush licking 

 his chops in fancied security. 



The ground and a bush are, however, good 

 enough for panther. 



Nullahs with steep banks admit of roofed pits, 

 which are very effective ; but they are dull, 

 stuffy, and afford a limited view. If you use 

 these, put a lining of cloth for your roof, other- 

 wise your clothes will be filled and your rifle 

 may become jammed with sand. 



9. Siting of Machan. — I cannot repeat too 

 often that a thick foliaged tree outweighs all else. 

 It is a bad error to have your machan between 

 the kill and the tiger's approach. A stupid 

 outlying shikari lost me a tigress in this manner 

 this year. I heard her breathing as far as my 

 tree, and then she faded away. 



On a nullah have your machan on the opposite 

 side to the tiger's approach. Avoid having it 

 within sound of the tiger's cover. 



In 1921 I had a good tree on the edge of thick 

 tiger cover. The tiger must have watched opera- 

 tions, for he growled twice in the night, but 

 would not come out. If such a site is unavoid- 

 able, before starting work drive the tiger a quarter 

 of a mile away by sending a couple of men to 

 talk and cut wood. 



The machan should not face the tiger's 



