Sporting Notes in the Far East. 195 



one day shoot, I recommend starting early before the dew is off 

 the grass, and the scent is still good ; a dog you must have. 



After landing, walk straight out through the hack of this truly 

 filthy town, and as soon as the first valley of cotton is passed, (over 

 the cause-way,) run the dog amongst the bunches of cactus, and 

 through the potato and turnip fields, (these being the most likely 

 places for partridges), taking them in succession in a rough line 

 between Hoihow and the native capital, till the Pagoda is reached ; 

 then break off, and pass round the outside of the city wall, till 

 after about half an hour's walking, and again crossing another cause- 

 way, some capital ground is reached, consisting of low hills covered 

 with long grass, indispersed with patches of brambly scrub. Here, 

 partridges, quail, hares, and an occasional deer may be expected. 



The most favourable condition of the elements, in which to 

 procure a good bag of partridges, is on a bright sunny day, immed- 

 iately AFTER a wet one : as in bad or threatening weather, the little 

 birds will completely hide themselves in the impenetrable lumps 

 of cactus, and prickly bamboo ; and the dog has yet to he born 

 that will face such cover, and shove them out. 



For a go at pig or jungle fowl, it is necessary to procure at least 

 a week's leave : you take your own food and coolies, sleeping at 

 night in the numerous temples : you are also solely dependant on 

 the natives as beaters, and owing to the density of the jungle, a 

 satisfactory beat is a thing of rare occurrence. 



