BULLET AND SHOT 



to my own gun. There was no single bag of much 

 over forty couple, and one of the eight totals 

 contributing to form the above -stated average, 

 consisted of only two couple and a half ! The 

 reason for this last was that I had, upon a ground 

 at some distance, seen a large number of birds 

 some time before, and wishing to ascertain whether 

 they were still on that ground, I sent a native to 

 inspect and report. On his returning with the 

 news that birds were still there, I made sure 

 that I should make a large bag. Imagine my 

 disgust, on arriving at the place, to find it quite 

 dried up, and the birds all gone ! The rascal 

 whom I had sent had evidently saved himself the 

 trouble of going, and had trusted to luck (and to 

 lying) to see him through. He had certainly quite 

 spoilt my day, but as he accompanied me, and as I 

 was very far the reverse of amiable towards him, 

 I am sure that he did not greatly enjoy his own ! 



Before going out shooting, a native shikarrie 

 a reliable man, if possible should be sent to scour 

 the country, to visit different places, and to ascertain 

 which of the latter will best reward the sportsman's 

 energies. It may be that two or more distinct 

 grounds lie at no great distance apart, and may 

 thus be shot over, if not too extensive, on the same 

 day. 



The earliest date on which I have seen snipe 

 in any appreciable number in Mysore, was on or 

 about the 2Oth September, in one year only. This 

 is extraordinarily early for the arrival of the birds 

 in that province, though upon that occasion I 



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