HUNTING & SHOOTING IN CEYLON 



and there is an unfurnished bungalow l at the tank. Fine 

 snipe shooting in the season, pigeons, pea fowl, and a few 

 deer and wild buffaloes. 



From Minneriya you can visit the great abandoned tank 

 of Kaudulu, about 8 miles away, a good shooting place for 

 all game. 



You may then proceed to Topawewa, 12 miles from 

 Minneriya by road, and can usually put up there in the 

 empty tank bungalow, but you must understand there 

 are no rest-houses proper, and everything will have to 

 be taken with you as on a regular camping trip. 



Topawewa country is full of ruins of surpassing'interest, 

 and is, moreover, a grand centre for various shooting 

 excursions to " park " country, tanks, and witas. This 

 part of the country was very fully exploited by Sir Samuel 

 Baker fifty years ago, and at that time simply swarmed with 

 game (vide " With Rifle and Hound in Ceylon "). 



Elephants, and especially wild buffaloes, abounded, and 

 deer were to be found in every bit of " park." 



Now, however, the sport is not to be called good, but 

 here and there, in out-of-the-way corners, some very fair 

 shooting can be enjoyed. 



In the wet season of December and January, if a man 

 likes to face the difficulties and discomforts of travel and 

 camp at such a time, quite good sport is obtainable, as then 

 all animals are on the move and frequent the open country 

 up to quite late in the day. In the dry season some very 

 good shooting may be had at bears and leopards at the 

 many water-holes all over the district. 



East of Topawewa (7 miles by road) lies the Mahaweli- 

 ganga, our largest river, which, rising near Adam's Peak 



1 I believe the furnished " Irrigation "; bungalow is now available for 

 travellers, if not officially occupied. AUTHOR. 



80 



