SPORT IN WESTERN CHINA 165 



Deer can be seen in the Natural History Museum, South 

 Kensington, S.W. 



" CRYING MUNTJAC " 



This animal {Muntiacus lacrymans), known locally as 

 " Hung Chee-tsze," or simply " Chee-tsze," derives its specific 

 name from the presence of a large gland below the eye. This 

 Muntjac occurs in the immediate neighbourhood of Ichang, 

 but is more common some distance removed from this town, 

 ranging from river-level to 5000 feet altitude. In certain 

 places in Patung and Hsingshan Hsiens it is abundant. Quite 

 a number have been shot above the village of Nanto, situated 

 on the left bank of the Yangtsze River at the head of the 

 Ichang Gorge. This Muntjac frequents brush-clad rocky 

 places and thin woods of Pine and Oak where a plentiful 

 imdergrowth obtains. Scrub-clad narrow ravines and gullies 

 are a favourite " lying- up " place during the daytime, and it 

 at all times prefers steep slopes to the more level country. 



One method of hunting this animal is to have men hurl 

 rocks down the steep scrub-clad slopes, with a " gun" placed 

 top and bottom walking a few yards ahead of the men. But 

 the general method employed is to use native dogs, and this 

 is one of the few things that these dogs are reaUy of any use 

 for, from a foreigner's point of view. These dogs give tongue 

 loudly, and hound and bewilder the beast until finally he is 

 caught by them or shot by the hunter. Stationed at the 

 bottom of some gulley or point of vantage, the dogs being put 

 in at the top, the sportsman gets his chance as the Muntjac 

 attempts to make his escape. But the trouble is that the dogs 

 are seldom well trained, and knowing no discipline go off at a 

 tangent anywhere, scaring everything for miles around. A 

 point to be remembered in shooting a Muntjac under these 

 circumstances, is to run and pick it up immediately. If the 

 dogs arrive first, woe betide the trophy ; they eat and mangle 

 the carcass in double-quick time. At best these dogs are very 

 exasperating, and as often as not cause needless annoyance and 

 yield no returns. Occasionally one happens on a pack owned 

 by a keen and able hunter, and then one's efforts are usually 

 rewarded with some tangible result. 



