SMALL GAME SHOOTING. 137 



The spur-fowl does not readily get on the wing, 

 and prefers running and creeping in the thick 

 undergrowth, and amongst rocks and stones, at 

 the edge -of ravines or nullahs, into which, when 

 flushed, it drops like a stone, but, when forced to 

 rise, affords a pretty and by no means easy shot, 

 for it flies with great rapidity amongst the stems 

 of the forest-trees, and generally descends from 

 the sportsman's post. 



They generally lie close, and even when seen 

 they cannot be shot without blowing them to 

 pieces, as they run jauntily over the stones and 

 rocks with their tails cocked up. They do not 

 remain long in sight, however, and though they be 

 seen again they remain so short a time in view 

 that at best they only afford a snap shot. 



They readily take to trees when pursued by a 

 dog, and from their elevated position cackle and 

 scold him with all the force of ' galline '* bad 

 language that they are capable of. They here 

 afford an easy pot-shot, which, as they are ex- 

 cellent eating, is often taken advantage of. 



I once had an English greyhound that took very 

 kindly to this sport, in the absence of her own 

 particular one, viz., the coursing of jackals, foxes, 

 and hares. ' Fanny/ for such was her name, would 



* Query Is this the derivation of the Hindustani word for ' abuse,' 

 viz. 'dli'? 



