IO2 Sport and Life in the Further Himalaya 



for the sake of effect. The chakor is, in the 

 first place, a really wild bird. He is practically 

 the same bird as the French partridge, but bigger, 

 averaging perhaps 2 oz. heavier. (I have weighed 

 one of 25 oz.) According to all theory, therefore, 

 he should fly faster. His efforts are, moreover, 

 generally accelerated by gravity, and on the down- 

 ward slope his pace is enormously increased, the 

 variation on the level and downhill being ex- 

 tremely puzzling. And a last point in his favour, 

 and against the man that holds the gun, is that 

 he is most difficult to see against the hillsides, 

 for it is rarely among mountains which seem to 

 meet the cloud that one views him against the 

 sky, except when straight overhead. Chitralis are 

 particularly sharp at seeing birds coming ; but 

 when the cry of " Hai-e-e-e ! " makes both the gun 

 and his cartridge-carrier look till their eyes almost 

 drop out, even the latter sometimes misses seeing 

 a bird till behind them, and his gasp of "Below 

 you, sir ! " comes too late. 



The birds now come with longer intervals be- 

 tween, and the beaters are drawing near. A 

 covey that has pitched in the rocks just in front 

 are put up one by one, and afford some easier 

 shooting. The stops descend, and the drive is 

 at an end. The Chitralis, picturesque - looking 

 ruffians in loose robes tied in at the waist, and 



