PREFACE 
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T HE reception of Volumes I and II of this Work has been so favourable that 
the Publishers are encouraged to hope that a similar success will attend the 
present Volume, which deals with Big Game Shooting in Africa and Europe. 
In this Volume Mr Selous has given some account of every species of 
African animal likely to be of interest to the sportsman. Whilst writing very fully, and 
in almost every instance from personal experience concerning what may be termed the 
nobler forms of African game, he has been careful not to overload his pages with minute 
descriptions of every species, sub-species or local race, into which certain widely dis- 
tributed families of Antelopes have been divided. For although they may differ slightly 
one from the other in certain outward characteristics, they are yet absolutely identical in 
their habits and mode of life. 
In the same manner Mr J. G. Millais describes the Big Game now to be found in- 
habiting Europe. He deals with each species in accordance with its importance as an 
animal of the chase, and sets forth fully both their natural history and the sport that they 
afford at the present day in the various preserved and unpreserved districts of Scandinavia, 
Russia, Germany, Turkey, France, Austria and its dependencies, and the Mediterranean 
Islands. From this account it may be seen that the sportsman is able to-day to obtain 
trophies of all the nobler animals of former times, except the Bison, and the Alpine Ibex 
(now only existing in the preserves of the King of Italy), and has as good a chance as 
ever of obtaining fine specimens, with the single exception of the Red Deer, which, 
owing to increased numbers, has much deteriorated. 
Mr Millais’ account of European Big Game is supplemented by a special chapter on 
the wild animals of Spain, written by Mr Abel Chapman, whose long experience in that 
country, both as a naturalist and sportsman, has eminently qualified him to write on the 
subject. 
The Publishers desire to thank the Hon. Walter Rothschild, Sir Edmund Loder, Sir 
William Garstin, Sir H. Lincoln Tangye, Messrs A. E. Butter, W. N. McMillan, 
Ernest W. Thompson, W. H. Levy, and E. J. Boake for their practical help with some 
of the illustrations. To Sir Edmund Loder especially their thanks are due for his kind 
assistance. 
It remains to add that this Volume has been prepared for the press by Mr H. A. 
Bryden. 
