SINO-MONGOLIAN FRONTIER 



a new sub-species of hare, which was subsequently 

 named Lepus swinhoei sowerhyce, after my wife. 



There was no lack of sport, either, in this district, 

 for large flocks of bustards were continually seen, 

 and many fine birds were bagged. Three of these 

 averaged 18 lbs. in weight apiece. As they were 

 very shy, we had to resort to various expedients 

 to come within range. One method was to ride 

 round a flock, gradually drawing nearer. When 

 within range, I would drop off my pony and lie 

 flat, while my wife would gradually edge away, 

 leading my pony and keeping at an even pace. In 

 this way I would be able to take a comfortable 

 shot without startling the birds, whose attention 

 would be centred upon the ponies. 



The method we enjoyed most, however, was 

 plain stalking, when by keeping flat upon the 

 ground and utilizing every little ridge or hum- 

 mock of earth, we could often crawl to within easy 

 range. 



One day, to my own surprise and the delight 

 of my wife and the natives, I brought down a 

 large bird, which was flying past me at about 

 seventy yards range. My bullet took it fairly 

 in the side, and the great bird slowly came to 

 earth, a quarter of a mile away. It was stone 

 dead when we picked it up. 



Foxes and hares also were plentiful on the 

 plain, but as I seldom went out with anything 

 but my rifle, these escaped attention. 



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