THE BROW-ANTLERED DEER 155 



only be done surreptitiously and on rare occa- 

 sions. If the matter were taken up in reported 

 cases, one or two examples would have a very 

 deterrent effect. Sportsmen generally could 

 certainly be trusted not to exceed the limit of 

 four stags and two does, and it is pretty cer- 

 tain that only good heads would be shot. A 

 man who is limited to four stags, especially if 

 he has had to pay for the privilege of shoot- 

 ing them, is hardly likely to shoot immature 

 animals ; at all events, he cannot shoot many. 

 It does not seem to the writer sound that the 

 charge for the licence should be less than thirty 

 rupees. This sum would not deter the keen 

 sportsman, however humble his position ; but it 

 would prevent a host of subordinates, white and 

 black alike, going after thamin, either for meat 

 or for the pleasure of bowling them over regard- 

 less of the size of their heads. This is the type 

 of man from whom above all others it is necessary 

 to protect the deer. The licence-holder would, 

 of course, use his discretion in the matter of 

 shootinor does. To shoot them would afford 

 him no earthly satisfaction, and in some localities 

 he might find it undesirable even to shoot one. 

 In others they might be so numerous as to 

 make shooting two not only desirable but 

 necessary. 



While on the subject of game laws, there is 

 one other point with regard to thamin which I 



