PREFACE. 



GRATIFYING and sympathetic as was the local reception accorded to the 

 first edition of this book, and appreciative without exception as have been 

 the many press notices far and near, no idea of issuing a second edition was 

 entertained, or even dreamed of, until within the past few months when an 

 unmistakable demand for a new issue arose. To have disregarded a request so 

 emphatic would have betokened ingratitude and an in appreciation of the favour 

 the book has so long enjoyed, and it was felt that acquiescence was a moral 

 duty, albeit a real pleasure withal. And it is with some assurance that the 

 popularity enjoyed by its predecessor will be extended to its successor that this 

 effort, enlarged, revised and brought more or less up-to-date, is submitted 

 to the indulgent reader. 



Shooting in this part of the world since the first issue of this book, fifteen 

 years ago, has not undergone any serious changes. The most noticeable features 

 are the disappearance of the large grass plains at Kashing and Haiee, the 

 encroachment on the river-side stretches of the plain at Hankow, the more 

 frequent use of steam launches and the railway to reach places for the week's 

 end shooting not possible before, and last and worst the ever increasing number 

 of youthful shooting parties whose sole delight apparently is to destroy every 

 creature that draws the breath of life. The cry is occasionally raised that some 

 particular district is "shot out," but explanation is offered in many parts of this 

 book for the comparative scarcity of game in such district. There are those who 

 expect their cup always to be full though they constantly quaff it and yet 

 never replenish it. So it is with shooting. There are places of traditional fame 

 which seemingly never enjoy a rest. The incessantly harried birds naturally 

 seek some less persecuted spots, probably not much further off than the 

 proverbial stone's throw, knowing the wedded limitation of the .foreigner's 

 shooting beat. Again, although increasing cultivation brings in its train'more 

 easily procurable food for the pheasant it also brings hundreds of pairs of quick 

 eyes to watch the crops, with the result that numbers of nests may be discovered 

 which otherwise had escaped notice. That pheasants' eggs are hawked about 

 for sale is beyond question. And long-suffering, harmless and good-natured as 



