HINTS ON EQUIPMENT, ETC. 367 



c. Hats. 



The head-dress must be sufficient to resist the heat 

 of the sun. Having tried everything, I have come to 

 the conclusion that nothing can beat the old mushroom- 

 shaped Calcutta sola (pith) hats. These should have a 

 minimum diameter of two feet, and be fitted with a 

 chin -strap for mounted work. It may be worth while 

 to add that as they are generally sewn together in the 

 most rubbishy way, I always began by removing the 

 head-band, which I had covered with flannel and re- 

 placed, sections of cork taking the place of the bits of 

 pith which connect hat and head-band. These and 

 the hooks for the chin-strap I had stoutly sewn on by the 

 dirzee (native tailor). I mention these precautions 

 because, although they appear trifling, the neglect 

 thereof is certain to end in the collapse of the hat after 

 short wear, and if this collapse occurs in the field it 

 may involve the loss of a good day's shooting or pig- 

 sticking. 



Many advocate .the turban, which no doubt is a 

 capital head-dress for mounted sport. I find it rather 

 too hot, and for shooting I prefer to have the eyes well 

 shaded from the glare. The terai and English-made 

 sun-hats are not sufficient to resist the solar rays at 

 noon. 



A shooting-cap, which I devised, and which I 

 found most useful for morning, afternoon, and winter 

 work in India, as well as in less hot climates, is made as 

 follows : An ordinary English hunting-cap is covered 

 with khaki cloth instead of the usual black velvet. A 



