THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
In some places blackcock are to be met with in considerable numbers, 
and these birds differ somewhat from those of Scotland, having a longer 
tail, which does not curve round so much towards the tips. 
Woodcock are occasionally flushed, but I have never been able to deter- 
mine if they breed as far south as this, though I have seen them so early 
in the summer as almost to preclude the idea that they can have already 
migrated from the north. 
A light fishing rod should be taken, as many of the streams hold small 
trout, which, though not affording much sport, will be found a welcome 
addition to the commissariat. It is as well to have both a telescope and a 
binocular ; the former is absolutely necessary to determine the size of ibex 
heads, and will save many a useless stalk, and the latter is much handier 
if after stags in the thick forest. 
The presence of sheep and goats on the high pastures in summer is a 
frequent cause of annoyance to the stalker. The shepherds’ dogs are the 
fiercest I have met anywhere, and have to be kept at bay with an alpen- 
stock, as it would be as much as one’s life was worth to shoot one. 
The lower slopes of the range are covered with fine forest, oak, beech, 
birch and chestnut; in the valleys of the south-west, box trees, which have 
considerable commercial value, are found. The rhododendrons often 
grow so thickly that it is a difficult matter to force one’s way through, 
especially on a steep slope, where they seem to have a habit of flourishing. 
The display of wild flowers is sometimes very fine, and wild fruit grows 
abundantly. The raspberries are attractive, but I never cared much for 
the wild pears, though my followers used always to stop and throw sticks 
at the trees to knock them down. 
If a little more care were exercised, I think the cultivation of fruit in 
this country would prove a valuable commercial asset. Sunflowers seem 
to be grown for their seed, and I once pitched my tent in a glade near the 
timber line which was filled with them. 
As regards danger from the natives of the country, I do not think there 
is much to fear now, though in 1907 the whole province was in a state of 
unrest, and reports of murder and brigandage were frequent, and even 
the main street of Tiflis was patrolled day and night by soldiers with fixed 
bayonets. The Abkhasians, and many of the other tribes of the Caucasus, 
are of a very independent disposition, and will probably demand exorbitant 
rates for the hire of their horses, but I have never had any serious trouble 
with them. It must be remembered that a passport, duly visaed at the 
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