Hunting and Shooting in Ceylon. By Harry Storey. (Long- mans
and Co. 15s. net.)—It seems almost incredible that Ceylon, a country not so large as Ireland, should have supported such an enormous head of game as it did fifty years ago. Even now, notwithstanding the possession of firearms by the natives, it has few rivals. But a tropical forest is about the best sanctuary any animal can have, and in the case of Ceylon, civilisa- tion, represented by the magnificent tanks, is itself responsible for the abundance of waterfowl. One naturally turns with unusual interest to the description of elk-hunting by Mr. Farr. It seems to be a very passable substitute for the chase of the red-deer. An enthusiast will discern a strong resemblance even in the country hunted. In short, it is a fine sport, pursued in wonderful surroundings, and happily described for us by one who is able to do full justice to it. There are several contributors who treat of the habits and hinting of pig and bear, elephant and leopard, the various deer, and the game-birds and waterfowl. Elephant and leopard furnish perhaps the most exciting moments of the Ceylon hunter's life. Some men do not think much danger is incurred in following and standing up to an elephant, though once in a while the coolest man has some anxious moments; others, however, cannot do this, and find a difficulty in approaching an elephant near enough to stand and deliver, or, what it practically amounts to, deliver and stand—the charge. The leopard seems the more dangerous of the two animals ; the very size of the elephant saves a man at close quarters, whereas the speed and spring of the leopard are rarely stopped instantaneously by the deadliest aim. This should be a fascinating book for sportsmen. It is well illustrated, has an excellent map, and the several writers pay considerable attention to the physical features of the Island.
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