PREFACE 



I BELIEVE that Ceylon is still considered worthy to be 

 included in the list of sporting countries of the world, but, 

 though most of the other countries are well represented in 

 sporting literature, the fact remains that for fifty years the 

 only complete book dealing with personal experiences of 

 Ceylon sport is Sir Samuel Baker's " With Rifle and Hound 

 in Ceylon." 



Following humbly in the footsteps of such a mighty 

 predecessor, it is with the utmost diffidence that I venture 

 to place this book before the sporting world and my 

 brother-planters and fellow-sportsmen in Ceylon. 



The truth is, however, that matters have so entirely 

 changed since Sir Samuel Baker's day that his book must 

 stand for all time by itself as a record of what Ceylon 

 was. I hope that my work will show Ceylon as it now is, 

 or, more correctly, what it has been during the last fourteen 

 or fifteen years ; and also I touch upon a number of minor 

 sports which were probably beneath that mighty hunter's 

 notice altogether, but which belong most essentially to 

 Ceylon of the present day. 



My low country experiences have been gained during 

 short shooting trips taken yearly, and sometimes twice 

 a year, since 1891, often alone, but occasionally accom- 

 panied by a friend. I have made no big bags have never 

 tried to do so nor have I any great number of trophies to 

 show, but I have seen enough in my wanderings to justify 

 my attempt to gather together what I know into book form. 



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