Sporting Notes in the Far East. 141 



The only pheasant shooting to be got, is under the Mookden 

 hills, thirty mills from the port ; but snipe are very plentiful close 

 at hand, in the latter ends of April and August, and early parts 

 of May and September respectively. 



I am told that in mid winter, the sole species of game to be shot, 

 are the greater bustard, and that in great scarcity. 



THE HWAN TAI MARSHES, in October. About five and a half 

 miles walk from the Customs jetty at Newchang ; start very early, 

 and get to the marshes by daybreak, so as to be in plenty of time 

 for the morning flight. 



To reach these marshes, follow the river up till within about a 

 quarter of a mile below the place where the stream makes a sudden 

 bend to the left, then quit the bank and strike to the right down 

 the road ; after going about a mile, the track is cut by a line of 

 telegraph posts ; follow the poles, keeping them on your left hand 

 side till the marsh is reached. The country is perfectly flat with 

 no land marks, but there is a conical mound about twenty feet high, 

 which is passed by the footpath just before it reaches the marsh ; 

 this mound stands out very well by itself, and can be easily distin- 

 guished at some distance, so that if by any chance you should miss 

 your way, it will act as a good guide. 



There is a punt on the lake, and it must be borrowed from its 

 owner, a resident in Xewchang, who I may say, will be only too 

 happy to be of any service to a visitor. Having found the punt, 



