176 WITH BOAT JLND GUN iN THE YANGTZE VALLEY. 



If the covers hold many pheasants by a kind of free masonry they communicate the 

 fact that danger is near, and rise in bunches and quickly, so the gun should take up his 

 position in good time, and never budge an inch from that position for the pheasant has a 

 very keen sense of hearing. It is absolutely fatal to attempt to run in order to get within 

 range of the spot from which the first pheasant rises. 



To the stranger who does not wish to waste time in exploring the following notes 

 may, perhaps, serve as a slight guide. 



SZE YiNG Go. — A village on a small creek leading to I-Ching (fl^) the great 

 salt port on the North bank of the river, some l8 miles from Chinkiang. There is excellent 

 shooting on both sides of this creek, near the river foreshore, when the reeds are partly cut, 

 say from 20th November to 25th December. To the West towards Sa-ma-zo, which is 

 not more than 5 // or so from Sze Ying Go, wildfowl as well as pheasants and quail will 

 generally be found. The creeks hereabouts will be found to be too shallow for a houseboat 

 in December, but good shelter may be had in two small coves to the West and close to 

 Sze Ying Go. 



Ta Ho KOW, CfC M CI) "Large River Mouth," is a few miles from Chinkiang on the 

 right bank of the river, and on a creek always navigable for houseboats. The hills are 

 covered with woods of tall fir trees, and it is a beautiful country for a walk. Pheasants are 

 fairly plentiful, but are difficult to shoot through the trees. The more leisurely woodcock 

 haunts this district and some big bags have been made. 



SEE KIA Shan, (HMUI) "Single Tree Hill," is 30 miles from Chinkiang and 

 15 miles from Nanking. This is a prominent hill, about lioo feet high, also on the right bank. 

 At the base of this hill, as also upon the adjacent smaller hills, good shooting may be had 

 in November. The cover is very thick, strong grass and scrub oak, and good strong dogs 

 are absolutely necessary. The country is but sparsely populated, and pig may be found, 

 but as to their whereabouts it would be wise to consult the native, who doubtless would be 

 glad to assist in a hunt, for those animals do a lot of damage to the melon crop in August. 



Poo KOW (?ffi U) "River Mouth," is 3 miles up the creek just opposite to Nanking 

 which is navigable to the end of November. To the N.E. of the village there is good 

 pheasant and deer shooting. From Poo-kow to Chu-lu-chee 8 miles further up is a small creek 

 with high banks. For the first 5 miles pheasants and a few hares (the Shantung hare) will 

 be found on the low hills. 



Cheowning (|g 18) " Bridge Place," 9 miles to entrance of creek. North bank. This 

 creek is navigable for 5 miles till the end of November. Pheasants and hares to N.E. 

 of the village. One of the very best places for shooting pheasants out of the reeds near 

 the river early in December. 



San Shan, (H III) "The Three Hills," lies at the South end of a large lagoon 13 miles 

 South of Nankiiig. The hills are an unmistakable landmark. Pheasants will be found on 

 these and the adjacent hills in the early part of the season, but no shooting of consequence 

 can be expected after the middle of November. Bordering the lagoon is a big grass plain, 

 an ideal place for snipe in the Spring and Autumn, say, from 15th April to 7th May, and 

 from 15th August to /th September. 



