INDIAN SHOOTING 185 



and local shikaris to show him the ground near their own 

 homes, he may dispense with the luxury of having a Cashmeree 

 to rule over him, and find great advantage accrue both to his 

 sport and to his purse. It is impossible to give an estimate 

 for big game shooting in the plains, as the rates for transport 

 and beaters vary in every district. As regards servants brought 

 up from the plains, two should be enough, and they should be 

 of the same rehgion and caste, so as to be able to cook for one 

 another : the writer prefers Mussulmans, as they will eat meat, 

 which Hindus of good caste will not do. In any case they will 

 require extra pay in the hills (an additional Rs.2 or Rs.3 a 

 month should suffice), warm clothing, an extra blanket apiece, 

 and a waterproof bag to pack their things in. Also, as their 

 work begins on arrival at camp, they should, if possible, be 

 mounted for long marches. It is a good plan to hire milch 

 goats from the village which supplies the coolies, and change 

 them when one changes the men in the next district. 



The generally accepted rule with regard to shooting grounds 

 in the Himalayas is that the first comer has the right to any 

 minor stream not being the main river of a district (except at 

 its source, where it is considered a minor stream), and to all the 

 land that drains into that stream ; but he must occupy the 

 ground in person, and cannot retain it by sending servants or 

 tents there before his arrival, or by keeping servants or tents 

 there during his absence. 



In the plains the same rule, though not so accurately laid 

 down, holds good in spirit, viz. that no sportsman should hunt 

 over ground within reach of his neighbour's camp, and in tiger 

 shooting a beat belongs to the man whose shikaris are tying up 

 for it. 



Visitors from home should endeavour to bear in mind that 

 the sport of India naturally and fairly belongs to those who 

 spend the best years of their hves in administering and 

 garrisoning it, and that the assistance they will, as a rule, so 

 freely receive will be given by good sportsmen from sheer love 

 of sport. 



