98 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



larly of " rooi neks " (Englishmen) trespassing without the requisite 

 permission. In the independent native territories further North, 

 where birds are very plentiful almost everywhere, no opposition to 

 the sportsman is ever entertained by the natives. 



In reference to the matter now under consideration, the first 

 question likely to arise will be regarding the most suitable descrip- 

 tion of sporting dog for general all-round work in Southern Africa. 

 On this particular point there is really no difference of opinion. 

 Setters are incapable of any great or continued exertion under a 

 semi-tropical sun ; their feet, moreover, are very liable to become 

 sand cracked, and on these grounds pointers are much to be pre- 

 ferred. The Francolins, with little exception, are very difficult to 

 flush, and will, as a rule, seek safety by running on the ground in 

 preference to getting on the wing. For this reason many sportsmen 

 are unwilling to go to the expense or trouble of obtaining very 

 highly bred or trained dogs, as they are likely to get completely 

 spoiled in their work ; and there are very good grounds for this 

 belief, when it is remembered that a day's bag as a rule will 

 be of a very mixed description, and will generally include, in 

 addition to Francolins and Hares, several varieties of the Bustard 

 tribe and some of the smaller antelopes. Many instances are sure 

 to happen in which the only chance of bagging a wounded buck 

 will rest on the speed and determination of the dogs, and under 

 such circumstances, as may be imagined, they never will, and are 

 rarely expected to pay much attention to the words "down shot " or 

 "to heel." In any case it is a matter of impossibility to get the 

 best trained animals in the world to stand calmly and unruffled the 

 singularly (to them) seductive voice of the varieties of the Black 

 Khoorhan ; and under ordinary circumstances the employment of 

 such with the fleet-footed Guinea Fowl would simply mean ruination. 

 When shooting over a thick bush country, cockers are preferable 

 to either pointers or setters. 



Experience will prove that the Francolins and Sand Grouse — 

 although perhaps not so wild or more diflScult of approach in the 

 ordinary sense as feathered game in England of a somewhat 

 similar description — one and all possess greater vitality, and require, 

 so to speak, more shooting. In consequence, a proportionately 

 heavier sized shot should be used in killing them. 



The question of cartridges is important, as one cannot always 

 depend on obtaining them fresh and of the right description, ready 



