CHAPTER IV. 



STALKING AND SHOOTING. 



JT is most important, in order to get close to game, that the sportsman be suitably 

 dressed himself, and see that his men do not wear white, red, or other unsuitable 



colours, as they love to do. 



As to what colours are suitable we can learn much from animals. Often what 

 would at first sight appear startling is in reality adapted to its surroundings. For 

 instance, zebra's stripes for thickly-grassed country, lion a good all-round colour, 

 especially adapted to deserts and dry country, perhaps the reason that he is more 

 successful at killing game when the grass has withered. 



Elephant and buffalo, resembling rocks, and a sable, when standing still, is hard 

 to see in a place where there is much shade and dark stumps. 



The more blotchy clothes, however, seem to blend more with varying country. 



The coat or shirt should be a neutral tint, either mottled or stained with age. 

 The gloss on new clothes catches the sun, and if of one uniform colour shows up as 

 a whole. For instance, a white or black horse is much more distinct than a piebald in 

 many surroundings, and especially at dusk. 



So also the leopard is difficult to see, more especially in shade. Because a 

 colour is startling close at hand it does not follow that it will look so at a distance. 

 We think that the skin of a hyaena, spotted or striped, would be both a good pattern 

 to take for a coat, the former for bush country and the latter for grass. If one finds 

 one's shirts are too light in colour, boiling in red earth and water, coffee, or certain 

 kinds of bark will improve them. 



Rough and woolly clothes should not be worn, as they pick up grass seeds, burrs, 

 &c., of which there are an immense variety, besides getting torn with thorns. 



Hats should also be neutral coloured. 



In stalking, remember to keep in the shade as much as possible, and move very 

 quietly and slowly. Any men with you should be left behind and told not to move 

 till called. 



Your best hunter should accompany you, however, just behind, as his knowledge 

 of country and the habits of game is probably better than your own ; he may notice 

 something you have missed, and will help you to spot the bull. 



