CHINA 
C HINA is so vast a country, travel in the interior so difficult 
and uncertain, information with regard to its fauna, until 
recently, so vague, and the incursion of foreigners so long 
discouraged, that there is little wonder it should remain, from 
the point of view of the big game hunter, the least known of 
all countries. Yet it is possible to obtain within the confines 
of the Middle Kingdom a selection of heads which for variety and interest 
will compare favourably with those from any quarter of the globe. The 
modern Chinaman of the cities takes but little interest in hunting, though 
Marco Polo tells us of the manner of the Grand Khan’s proceedings in the 
chase, and the existence of game laws prohibiting every person throughout 
all countries owning his authority “ from daring to kill hares, roebucks, 
fallow deer, stags or other animals of that kind, or any large birds, between 
the months of March and October.” Hunting parks, such as that in which 
the exiled Manchu Court is at present confined, existed, and we read of 
lions (tigers), bears, lynxes, antelopes, musk deer, leopards, beyamini 
(yak), and wild pig being plentiful throughout the country. All these exist 
at the present day as well as other varieties, such as burhel, serow 
and goral, whilst it is by no means improbable that new species may be 
discovered as the country becomes better known. All game, with the 
exception of such animals as the roe and smaller varieties of deer, wolves, 
leopards, etc., are confined to the mountainous regions which it is impos- 
sible to cultivate. The Chinese may be described as a nation of crofters. 
They cultivate every inch of ground which is capable of cultivation. Con- 
sequently the foreigner who visits their country in quest of sport must be 
prepared to find large districts entirely destitute of game. Roads are bad 
and not too plentiful; travel on them by no means an unmixed blessing; 
tents an impossibility, save when actually in the haunts of the game, whilst 
the hospitality of Chinese inns in the more outlying districts is sufficient 
to try the senses of any traveller pretty severely, save one who has become 
inured by custom. 
Food is plentiful and cheap, and those who are content to live in the 
country can thereby materially reduce expenses. I have gone fully into 
this question in my book, “ The Big Game of Central and Western China ” 
(Murray). It will be sufficient here to state that £100 per month will amply 
cover all expenses for a single sportsman after arrival at Shanghai. This 
156 
