Having galloped off to about a hundred yards distance, he wheeled round and gazed at us, when I gave him the contents of one of my barrels, which sent him off again at full speed to the top of the hill. Putting on all the speed that we were able, considering the nature of the ground, we gave chase, and at length came up with our quarry, which had halted and lay down, licking the blood from a flesh wound in his chest, which my first shot had inflicted. At sight of us off he sprung again, and as he passed within forty yards before me, I gave him both barrels, and the next moment I saw the poor beast fall forward over the precipice, mortally wounded. Running to the edge, the last thing I saw of him was his carcass bounding from rock to rock in its descent, and when he reached the bottom there could not have been two bones left unbroken in his body. To lose him in this way (for no mortal foot could have followed after him) was more annoying than to have missed him altogether, but as there was no remedy for it, I contented myself philosophically by hoping for "better luck next time."

We had now gained the table land on the very summit of Kamouni-kooli-kandy, about 9,000 feet above the level of the sea, and never shall I forget the view that lay around us. On either side of the island could easily be perceived the sun's rays falling on the glittering sea. A bungalow, used as a "rest-house" for travellers, called Wilson's bungalow (some forty miles off), seemed to lay but close under the mountain. Forests appeared but as orchards, torrents as mill-streams, and the mountains around as mole-hills. Í never remember scenery to have had such an effect on my feelings before, and never did I before so appreciate the beauty of Manfred's mind, and soliloquy on the Jungfrau. I felt how true is the passage

Beautiful,

How beautiful is all this visible world-
How glorious in its action and itself!"

The next moment my eye fell upon my gun, and I could scarcely forbear drawing a comparison between man and nature. Here was I, a human being, gifted with reason and soul, in pursuit of the life of whatever crossed my path!

I had just got so far, when up jumped a hare, which I very expeditiously dropped, and the next moment a hog deer happening to start from its covert a few yards on my right, received my second barrel. These deer are very scarce, and make by far the best venison of any of the deer species. They derive their name from being somewhat between a hog and a deer, and being also furnished with immense tusks resembling those of the wild boar. The elk is very scarce in Ceylon, and it is only on the highest mountains that they are at all to be found.

Having loaded my guide with the slain, and having drunk the

Queen's health in heavy wet on the highest peak of Ceylon, we commenced to retrace our steps by a different but more difficult route. The number of pea-fowl and jungle fowl that we met in our descent appeared to indicate that our side of the mountain had been ceded to the feathered tribes exclusively, and until we had proceeded half way down, not a quadruped of any sort did we see. Having arrived at a rugged space of the mountain, where there was not even sufficient soil to allow growth to the prickly pear, a long sharp whistle arrested our attention; the sound was familiar enough to my guide, who merely mentioned the word "elk," and down we squatted between the fissures of a rock, in breathless anxiety, to await the coming of the animal. Having waited for half an hour in vain, we left our hiding place, and perceived in the hollow below us two elks, apparently admiring the prospect before them. The ground between myself and the animals would in cold blood have been deemed impracticable by any one not insane, but taking care not to endanger my gun, I dropped myselt "like a hot potato" on the nearest landing place, some fifteen feet below where I stood, thereby contracting a bloody nose and a sprained ancle; notwithstanding which, I managed, by alternately crawling, tumbling, and jumping, to come at last within shot of the elk, who were standing almost perpendicularly beneath me. Taking a long aim, I sent a ball into the back of the largest one, and uttering a sharp, piercing cry of pain, he sunk gently to the ground. I then fired at the other, who remained close to its dying mate, but, in the excitement of the moment, I missed it, and, in an instant after, it had bounded out of sight. It now struck me that although tumbling down rocks might be an easy process, tumbling up them was quite another affair, and how on earth I was to regain my former position, and carry my prey with me, was a matter of most intense speculation. My nigger I had left above, and, as I knew he would not follow me, I was left to a pleasant train of meditations, as to whether it were pleasanter to be starved to death, or be crushed by the first elephant that appeared, for there were no visible appearances of egress from the trap I had let myself into, except the desperate one of throwing myself on the top branches of a tree that took root in a ravine some eighty feet below where I stood. I had pondered over my situation during an hour, when a bear intruded his company. My first impulse was to put a ball through his brain, to escape, at all events, being "killed by kindness," in other words, hugged to death; but on second thoughts I considered, that if he found a way in, he could also find one out, and I therefore pressed him into my service as guide. Making a rush at him, as if intending mischief, I had the satisfaction of seeing Mr. Bruin turn tail, and, securing my gun, after him I went, at the hazard of being lost to her majesty's service altogether, and a pretty race he led me of it, until I again found myself on table-land after about two hours' work. I reached my bungalow, however, about midnight, minus all my game and half the skin of my body. However, the next morning, taking half-a-dozen Malays with me, I proceeded in search of the slain elk, the guide having led us to the spot where he had left me, and from whence he had returned to cantonment to report my "loss," the evening before.

We found the quarry untouched by the jackalls, and not much the worse for a night's exposure to the air. After having regained it by letting down a sable gentleman on a rope, we carried it home in triumph, and the whole station feasted off venison curry for nearly a week afterwards.

ON THE GAME LAWS, SHOOTING, &c.

BY CECIL.

More than half the interest attendant upon covert shooting is certainly dependent upon the good behaviour of the dogs. What can exceed the satisfaction when the favourite spaniel, the constant_companion of his master, his associate in the house, nay, perhaps the pet of his wife, mother, or sisters, when he throws his tongue on the quest of a woodcock, or raises the gaudy-plumaged pheasant from his resting-place? It produces enthusiasm and delight as he eagerly rushes to the spot from whence the welcome sound proceeds; nor does it end there. How gladly are the properties of the sagacious little animal resounded in the evening, when the indulgence of the easy chair or couch afford a preliminary repose prior to the more substantial rest which is sought for in the nocturnal dormitory! Can the exploits of those who, on the battue system, have had all the work performed by men and boys produce funds for such narrations? Most certainly not: the utmost they admit of is the boast of so many heads of game having been slaughtered, and perhaps a few jokes passed on the unfortunate or unskilful shots made by some of the party.

Covert-shooting evidently calls forth more quickness and alacrity than that which is followed in the open; all kinds of game have opportunities of momentarily escaping from view, and perhaps not afterwards presenting themselves in a position to allow of their being shot at. Hares and rabbits, in crossing rides, are soon out of sight; when, entering the thickest part of the brushwood, which they usually do, they are seen no more. The manner in which a pheasant rises likewise creates a source of difficulty to many who are excellent shots at other things, taking a nearly perpendicular flight till high enough to clear the trees. It is a very usual circumstance to shoot under them, as can be clearly seen by their flying off with their legs broken: this is an unfortunate accident, because it so frequently happens that they cannot be recovered; and the miserable bird, unable to move about in search of food, dies a wretched death from absolute starvation. The most certain way of bringing them down is by waiting till they have attained the height at which they will strike off from, and then just taking them at the instant they are about to make a horizontal movement. This may be calculated upon by observing the

T

position of the trees among which they are flying. Similar circumstances usually attend the springing of woodcocks; but their quiet, steady flight is very different to the bustle created by the whirring pheasant: as if conscious of his beauty, he seems disposed to attract attention; whereas the gliding, unassuming progress of the long-bill not unfrequently permits him to escape unseen, or at all events, till he has made sufficient progress to be out of reach; but as they are delicate birds, a slight blow will bring them down, and a man is justified in shooting at them at a great distance, the more so because it does not appear to have any effect in increasing the distance of their flight; and if they are marked down, a second shot may as reasonably be calculated upon as if they were not shot at in the first instance.

Some difference of opinion exists whether a man, having acquired great proficiency in shooting in covert, is equally expert at partridges or other game in the open: this arises from the impression that the former causes him to shoot hastily. I am not quite inclined to subscribe to this, because a person in good practice will very naturally make the distinction; and I think it is less likely to be correct than that a very superior partridge shot shall be equally good in covert. Each requires practice; and to be really good in both departments, it is essential that both be resorted to. Man is so much influenced by habit, that, when constantly shooting at partridges, he may at first be somewhat bothered when hampered by the entanglements and obstacles of a thick and briery wood; but I am inclined to the opinion that when he has had experience in such situations, he will not be much at a loss in turnips and stubble fields.

Snipe-shooting evidently requires much practice and discrimination. The object is so small, that, unless a very correct aim be taken, the bird is almost certain to escape. The zig-zag flight peculiar to these birds operates very much against the success in bringing them down; independent of which, there is a very great diversity in the manner in which different birds will fly; indeed, I have noticed that the same bird will fly very differently on one occasion from what he does on another: this is readily proved in cases where a snipe having been missed and marked down, upon being raised again an attentive observer will detect the event. It is no doubt to be accounted for in various ways; for instance, the increased alarm of the bird on the second occasion is very likely to operate forcibly on his movements, and cause him to resort to manoeuvres with which all living creatures are by instinct gifted when their lives are in danger. The position of the wind, if it be at all violent, is another cause by which this change of tactics may be influenced. If flying down wind, the bird having risen to a certain height begins as it were to waver in his progress; if up wind, he appears to flutter against it, and with a side wind assumes a zig-zag course, when he becomes very difficult to kill.

For snipe-shooting I have no hesitation in giving the preference to a steady old setter. In the first place, he will encounter the water better than the pointer; and as it is frequently the case that brushwood is found in the haunts of the snipe, he will be more au fait in finding his birds in such situations. Some persons consider a dog

unnecessary for this pursuit; but to that I cannot consent. Much ground must be uselessly travelled over if they are to be walked up, and they are very capricious in their manner: at times they are very wild; on other occasions they will lie as dead as stones. When in the former mood, it matters little what course is adopted, for as soon as one rises, nearly all the others will follow the example, and the only chance is to mark them down, and then walk up to the spot with the dog at heel. This usually happens when these birds have taken to some spot not commonly frequented by them. When they are found in the rushes and long grass of the marshes, which are their usual places of shelter, they for the most part lie close, and as they do not run, require a fine-nosed dog to find them in such situations. The immediate spots will in most cases be influenced by the rise or fall of the water.

It is a general rule not to beat down wind for snipes, and an equally general assertion that when sprung down wind they will go some distance with great rapidity before they turn. This I do not believe to be correct, especially if the wind be high, as the snipe does not like it to be in his tail. A side-wind is decidedly the most desirable, as it is generally the means of the bird presenting himself for a crossshot; but the importance of these observances principally depends upon the force with which the wind blows. On a calm day I believe it is of very little consequence what direction you beat in.

A good marker is a very essential acquisition in the field; but it is an accomplishment not very readily attained. It is not every clodhopping clown who may be gifted with a long vision that is of any use for such a purpose; indeed, nine cases out of ten he will direct you wrong, until instruction and habit have given him some idea of his business. Nevertheless it is not an uncommon custom to employ any idle vagabond, who would rather be so engaged than stick to his work. Defend me from such an attendant! I would rather be without any, than be so misled-an event that would often happen. In performing this office at partridges, if obstacles preclude the possibility of the eye following the covey to where it drops, the only guide that remains is the inclination taken when last in sight: whichever way the birds turn, that is doubtless the direction to make for; but under such circumstances their exact position is very uncertain; that, however, cannot be controlled. But it is a very common thing for birds to bear off at a right angle just before they drop; and if they are not in sight at the moment, it is very difficult to determine where they have gone to. They will likewise very frequently skim along the ground a very considerable distance, and an inexperienced marker will imagine that they have dropt long before they have done so. This may be taken for a general rule, that before they alight they drop their legs. This is very readily distinguished if they are within sight, as they assume a most peculiar appearance by throwing their bodies up, as it were, in a very different position to what they previously presented. A person should never deceive himself by supposing he has marked birds down till he has distinctly noticed this action; and even after this, it is no uncommon event for birds to run or to rise again, especially as the season advances, and they have been