346 RIFLE AND ROMANCE 



There is something, no doubt, behind such views, but the 

 crux of the matter is that too much is usually left to 

 chance in this form of hunting. 



The tiger or panther kills for food in the vast majority 

 of cases, and his usual method is to divide his meal into 

 two portions. Since he usually kills his prey during the 

 night, he has time, as a rule, for a decent meal immediately 

 after he has secured it ; this being meal number one. 

 Next evening he returns (or intends to return) for meal 

 number two. After this it is a most unusual proceeding 

 for him to return to the carcase a third time ; which seems 

 natural enough, that which may remain being probably 

 neither sufficient nor appetising enough to tempt his 

 palate. 



Taking the tiger and panther together (although their 

 habits vary according to locality, and the tiger seems more 

 cautious than his spotted congener), it may be assumed 

 that they will not go away any further than necessary 

 when day breaks and puts an end to their first meal. Nor 

 do they (especially the leopard) seem to regard water in 

 every case as a sine qua non. In some cases they may then 

 " lie up " quite close to the " kill." The preparation of the 

 shooter's hiding-place should therefore be carried out as 

 silently as possible, and really early in the day, so that all 

 may be quiet during afternoon and evening. In some 

 cases it is even advisable to erect it beforehand when 

 the bait is picketed out. In this case, however, the bait 

 must be so securely fastened that the tiger cannot break 

 the rope and drag his " kill " away, and this may render 

 him suspicious and prevent his return. Care should there- 

 fore be taken to erect the machdn early, quietly, and high 

 up a tree, never to move the " kill" if possible, to sit alone, 

 to eliminate the chance of the slightest noise or movement 

 being conveyed to a listening creature, and therefore to 

 make one's self comfortable, for cramped limbs mean noise 

 and movement in time. There are other requisite arrange- 



