XXVI 
THE HOG-DEER 
355 
to place before my readers the experience which I 
myself have gained, therefore I do not attempt to 
include every creature which may be classed among 
wild beasts. 
Many years ago, when reviewing Mr. G. P. 
Sanderson’s excellent work, Thirteen Years with the 
Wild Beasts of India , in the Quarterly Magazine , I 
wrote the following critical remarks, to the spirit of 
which I rigidly adhere:—“When we consider the 
difficulty attendant upon the study of wild animals 
in their native pastures, we may at once agree that 
a limited experience must be of little value to the 
lover of natural history. The book we require as a 
standard authority must be the result of many years’ 
practical study, and intimate association with the 
animals described. It is impossible that one man 
can have had experience sufficient to embrace all 
portions of the world, and the fault of many writers 
consists in their attempting too much. If an indi¬ 
vidual will confine his description to that particular 
branch of sport and natural history which he has 
carefully mastered, and neglect all hearsay evidence, 
but relate only that which he has positively accom¬ 
plished and personally witnessed, his book will be 
received as a welcome exception to the general rule.” 
Upon this principle, I do not intrude upon the 
province of others who have had experience in 
countries which I have not visited. I have no 
practical knowledge of the animals of the Himalayah 
range, therefore I say nothing concerning them. 
The admirable work of Colonel Kinloch, Large 
