28 BIG-GAME SHOOTING IN UPPER BURMA 



aim just below the bump. The brain, which is 

 small in comparison with the size of the skull, 

 is situated far back, midway between the orifice 

 of the ears. The brain itself is oval, about the 

 size and shape of a small Rugby football. 



2. If the elephant is facing three-quarters 

 towards you, a shot aimed at the hollow of the 

 temple, at such an angle as to cut an imaginary 

 rod passing between the earholes, will find 

 the brain. 



3. If he is standing with head turned three- 

 quarters from you, and an eye is visible, shoot 

 in the hollow behind the ear, on a level with the 

 earhole, as the animal flaps his ears forward. 

 (N.B. — This is a difficult shot to judge.) 



4. If broadside on shoot straight into the 

 earhole. If the elephant is standing at such an 

 angle that neither eye is visible do not shoot. 



A charging elephant carries his head high, 

 and a shot aimed at the bump above the trunk 

 would merely glance off, and would certainly 

 not stop a charge. In this case aim at the base 

 of the trunk low down, almost on a level with 

 the mouth. The shot will travel up towards the 

 brain, and if it misses the exact spot, will only do 

 so by a few inches. An elephant's trunk is 

 extremely sensitive, and the combined effect of 

 the blow on the trunk and the passage of the 

 bullet close to the brain will in itself suffice to 

 turn a charge, and possibly to knock the animal 

 over. Should he still come on, a second bullet in 



