Sporting Notes in the Far East. 175 



It is as well to impress upon him that he will be remunerated in 

 proportion to the number of head slain. 



However, whatever the total, ten dollars for acting as guide and 

 affording lodgings, up to four nights, is ample. 



Some very good bags were made in this district during the month 

 of March ; the party leaving snipe and quail alone, and devoting 

 themselves entirely to pheasants. A good retriever will double 

 the bag. 



Formosa pheasants are very strong on the wing and great run- 

 ners, so it is always as well to have a gun forward in beating coverts 

 and cane brakes. 



Most of the notes are written as far back as '81, but if as I 

 understand they are to be depended on, Takow and its surround- 

 ings must be one of the very few sportsmen's paradises left in the 

 East. 



SWATOW. 



This is essentially a port for water-fowl ; as although there is some 

 pheasant shooting up the river, the distance is great, and it entails 

 at least a fortnight's leave to make an expedition worth while. 



January is the best month at Swatow. 



I was here in November '88, a little before the regular winter 

 snipe season ; but a friend and myself had a very fair good day at 

 the " Lagoons," (a series of mangrove' swamps in rear of the 



