HUNTING & SHOOTING IN CEYLON 



than once, most distinctly heard the call at 3.30 and 

 4.30 A.M., when camped in the jungle. 



The chance of a flying shot is very remote and these 

 fine birds are very difficult to stalk, being as alert and 

 wary as any bird or animal in the world ; but, owing to 

 their pugnacity, or, at any rate, curiosity to see a rival, 

 they may be beguiled into showing themselves by an imi- 

 tation of the challenging flapping of the wings, which is 

 exactly accomplished by folding your handkerchief, hold- 

 ing it in the hollow of one hand, and striking it smartly, 

 at regular intervals, about the same as the natural flappings, 

 with the other hand. 



This is great sport for an off-day, or when travelling 

 along a jungle track from camp to camp. The cock is 

 too wary, as a rule, to come out to a cart-road ; but even 

 there he may be circumvented if you enter the forest some 

 time before you get opposite him, and make your way 

 in until he is more or less between you and the road. He 

 will then often come to the challenge ; and I have, but 

 once or twice only, even bagged him when cautiously 

 approaching a cart-road to see what dared to challenge 

 from there. He will come rushing to you on a wild 

 forest path, but not usually in scrub or out of forest into 

 grass-land, though I once " diddled " one in park country. 

 The cock was crowing in a patch of jungle, about 40 

 yards from a path, in a big grass plain, and in another 

 patch of jungle, nearer the path, a hen was clucking, t 

 got the " hen " patch between me and the cock, and 

 challenged. He, thinking another cock was daring to 

 approach the hen, came flying, or rather running, out 

 into the grass and I bagged him before he had time to 

 think. 



Another tip don't overdo your challenge. If you 



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