158 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



and mcst important advantages, which, however, it is needless 

 for me to enter upon. 



All guns, rifles, and ammunition should be taken out from 

 England. The ammunition should be packed in tin-lined 

 boxes with screw-down lids, and should not exceed 65 Ibs. in 

 weight. A strong solid leather cartridge magazine to hold 500 

 i2-bore cartridges should be taken. It can be filled with an 

 assortment of cartridges for immediate use, and can be reple- 

 nished from the tin-lined boxes when necessary or convenient. 

 To complete the shooting kit, a pair of powerful binoculars, 

 which are much handier than a telescope, is indispensable. 

 They should be made of aluminium (which is very light), and 

 can be carried either in their leather case on the belt or inside 

 the coat, which I think is by far the handiest place. A 

 compass, though a good thing to have, is not altogether neces- 

 sary ; it can if wanted be carried either in a small pocket 

 (which should be waterproof) between the brace buttons of the 

 breeches, or let into the lid of the binocular case. 



DRESS 



In the matter of dress, which is a very important considera- 

 tion in big game shooting, when everything has to be done on 

 foot, regard should be had to the features of the surrounding 

 country, and the stalker should endeavour to be as little con- 

 spicuous as possible. With this end in view, he cannot do better 

 than have his clothes made of Kharki, and Indian Shikar cloth 

 of mixed green and brown. In the dry weather, when the grass 

 and bush are withered, Kharki is less conspicuous than Shikar 

 cloth, as it assimilates better with the surroundings. Shikar 

 cloth is excellent after the rains have fallen, and the grass and 

 bush are green. Both are very strong, and wear well. I re- 

 commend the coat to be made Norfolk jacket fashion, loose 

 and roomy about the chest and shoulders, but fitting fairly 

 close at the waist. There should be one pocket let in on the 

 left breast, but on no account should there be one of any kind 



