146 



A SHOOTING TRIP TO KAMCHATKA 



birds being extremely scarce. On the other hand, 

 mosquitoes never ceased to harass both ponies and 

 men. It is possible that whatever game there might 

 be in these woods had retired to hioher oround on 



ONE OF OUR I'ACK-rONIES. 



account of these merciless foes. The Stars/iina told 

 me in earnest that bears are so troubled by mosquitoes 

 and gnats that, in order to escape from their enemies, 

 they will run a few hundred yards and suddenly 

 crouch down under a bush in the hope of misleading 

 their tormentors ; although they are probably soon 



