ROUND THE CAMP FIRE 307 



(4) The remedy. Suggestions as to greater restrictions, 



the issue of licences, the actual weapons that should 

 be licensed for protection ; any observations on the 

 sale of arms and ammunition to natives, close 

 seasons, penalties for offences, etc. 



(5) Traders in pelts, trophies, plumes, etc., their influence 



on the decrease of game. 



(6) Any other remarks bearing on the subject. 



To this a large number of replies were received and 

 tabulated, and at length the movement seemed to have 

 acquired sufficient momentum to carry it towards success, 

 when an untoward occurrence removed the guiding hand 

 of a well-known resident of Calcutta, and resulted in the 

 indefinite postponement of the plan of campaign. 



At this stage the matter still rests. When it will revive 

 is matter for conjecture. 



The subject of game-preservation measures of a general 

 (and at once effective) nature throughout India is one 

 beset with many difficulties, which are not apparent until 

 the matter is looked into rather closely. It involves 

 some important issues so important, indeed, that any 

 too sudden approach might result in the shy birds we 

 sportsmen are endeavouring to stalk being startled into 

 such a flight as would take them for some time beyond 

 our reach. So, until some practicable line of approach 

 can be found or our game may have shifted into some 

 more stalkable position, a policy of masterly inactivity 

 would appear to be indicated. 



Much, however, can be effected meanwhile by those 

 in local authority, who have the interests of game pre- 

 servation at heart, if they will keep a watchful eye on 

 the issue of licences and make sharp examples of poaching 

 offences. . . . 



Five years after the above remarks were penned, the 

 Government of India had at length stirred itself in the 



