ia2 SHIKAR SKETCHES. 



Their pursuit is often as unsatisfactory and 

 difficult as that of the pea-fowl, for no birds are 

 more wide-awake, or more quick in hearing the 

 approach of an enemy. 



Handsome as a trophy, worthy as a gift, and 

 dainty as a dish though he be, yet the pursuit of 

 jungle-cock, as a rule, affords but little pleasure. 

 It is too often a sneaking, ignominious sort of 

 crawl through thick and thorny jungle, so thick 

 that you probably cannot see three yards ahead 

 of you, whilst all the while, perhaps, you hear the 

 object of your search quite close to you, crowing 

 defiantly, and flapping his wings. Another yard, 

 you think, will reveal him to your anxious gaze, 

 and your only dread is that he will probably be 

 so close that you must either blow him to bits, 

 or forego the shot. Slowly and noiselessly you 

 creep forward, when c snap ' goes some abominable 

 twig under your foot. The noise, faint though it 

 be, is answered by a low, warning cackle, and 

 when you hear this you may as well relinquish 

 the pursuit of that particular cock or hen, for not 

 a feather will you see. 



When jungle-fowl are heard crowing and flap- 

 ping their wings they may often be decoyed with- 

 in shot by the sportsman remaining quite still, 

 and at intervals clapping his hand sharply against 

 his thigh. This produces a very fair imitation of 



