164 GAME-BIRDS OF INDIA 



Arrived at the rmiijo, the scout brings in his report, and at 

 once guns and drivers, all mounted, proceed towards the nearest of 

 the marked handadas. . . . The drivers should number three — the 

 centre to flush the birds, two flankers to gallop at top speed in any 

 direction should the game diverge from the required course or attempt 

 to break out laterally. 



" Ten minutes' ride and we are within view of our first bandada, 

 still a mile away. They may be feeding on some broad slope, resting 

 on the crest of a ridge, or dawdling on a level plain ; but wherever 

 the game may be— whatever the strategic value of their position — 

 at least the decision of our own tactics must be clinched at once. 

 No long lingering with futile discussion, no hesitation, or continued 

 spying with the glass is permissible. Such follies instil instant 

 suspicion into the astute brains on yonder hill, and the honours of 

 the first round pass to the enemy. 



" For this reason it is imperative to appoint one leader vested 

 with supreme authority, whose directions all must obey instantly 

 and implicitly. 



" The thoughts revolving in the leader's mind during his brief 

 survey follow these general lines : First, which is {a) the favourite, 

 and (b) the most favourable line of flight of those bustards when 

 disturbed ; secondly, where can guns best be placed athwart that 

 line ; thirdly, how can the guns reach these points unseen ? A 

 condition precedent to success is that the firing line shall be draven 

 around the bustards fairly close up, yet without their knowledge. 

 Without a halt the party ride round till out of sight. At the furthest 

 safe advance the guns dismount and proceed to spread themselves 

 out — so far as possible in a semi-circle — around the focal point. 

 At 80 yards apart each lies pressed on the earth, utilizing such 

 shelter (if any) as may exist on the naked decline — say skeleton 

 thistles, a tuft of wild asparagus, or on rare occasions a natural bank 

 or tiny rain-scoop. 



" Now we have placed our guns in line and within that short 

 distance of the unsuspecting game that all but assures a certain shot. 

 We cannot, let us confess, recall many moments in life of more 

 tense excitement than those spent thus, lying prone on the gentle 

 slope listening with every sense on stretch for the cries of the 

 galloping beaters as in wild career they urge the huge birds towards 

 a fatal course. Before us rises the curving ridge, its summit sharply 

 defined against an azure sky — azure but empty. Now the light air 

 wafts to our ear the tumultuous pulsations of giant wings and five 

 seconds later that erst empty ether is crowded with two-score huge 

 forms. What a scene — and what commotion as, realizing the 

 danger, each great bird with strong and laboured wing-stroke swerves 

 aside. One enormous harbon directly overhead receives first atten- 



