Sporting Sketches in South America

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CHAPTER I. South Ambbica from a Spobtsman's point of View

PAGE

Sport to be obtained there. — ^Three-years' Bag. — Local and Spanish names. — Old Keeper's remark, — ^Fishing. — Weapons. — Cartridges. — Dogs. — The family of Tinamous. — Shooting-match. — Kindness of the Natiye Estancieros. — ^Different kinds of Sport: — the Battue, Snipe-shooting, Punt-shooting^ Ghroiiseand Partridge-driying, Fox-hunting, Salmon-fishing, &c. 3

CHAPTER II. Summary of Sport in South America

Shooting over Dogs. — The Small Partridge. — The Martineta. — The Crested Partridge. — Wild-Goose shooting. — Duck^ Teal, and Wigeon, — Flight-shooting. — Snipe-shooting. — Guanaco-stalking. — Hunting the Guauaco. — Cavy-shooting. — Coursing the Cavy. — Ostrich-shooting. — ^Driving the Ostrich. — Stalking the Ostrich. — Coursing the Ostrich. — Hunting the Ostrich with Bolas. — Deer-shooting. — Stalking the " Gama." — Coursing the " Gama."— Stalking the " Ciervo."— The " Ghazu Vira." — ^Hare-shooting. — Coursing the Hare. — ^Rabbit-shooting. — Carpincho-shooting. — Shooting the Pavo del Monte.— Wild-Cattle stalking.— Wild- Pig shooting. — ^Alligator-shooting 13

• • •

Till CONTENTS.

CHAPTER m.

Wild-Fowl Shooting.

PAGE

The wild Swan. — Sport at NegreteEstancia. — The Upland Goose. — The Rufous-headed Goose. — The Kelp Goose. — Varieties of Ducks on the Parana. — The Muscovy Duck. — Snipes and Snipe-shooting. — ^The Common Snipe. — ^The Painted Snipe. — The Falkland-Island oniue .. .. .. .. •* .. ■. ju'x

CHAPTER IV. Genebal Outlinb op Spobt with the Rifle

Guanaco-hunting in Patagonia. — Hahits of the Animals. — Best locality for finding them. — Ostriches. — Patagonian Hares. — Foxes.— Skunks. — Armadillos. — Rabhits at the Falklands.— Wild Pigs.— Wild Cattle.— Different kinds of Deer in South America. — The Red Deer (Ciervo). — The Gama. — The Ghazu Vira. — The Ghazu Colorado. — The Venadillo. — Carpinchos. — Alligators. — ^The Ant-bear. — The Aguara . . . . 32

CHAPTER V. The Falkland Islands

The Argentine Republic. — The Falkland Islands. — ^Best time to visit them. — French and Spanish names. — Driving Geese. — Heavy bag of do. — Steamer-Ducks. — Shags. — Penguins. — Seals. — Sheep. — Size of the Falkland Isles. — Rabbits a nuisance. — Wild Cattle. — Deathof the old Bull 89

CONTENTS. IX

CHAPTER VI. The Falkulnds (continued)

PAGE

Adyantages for yatchemen. — Gocd harbours and sport easy of access. — Supplies procurable. — Climate healthy but tempestuous. — Bag of Hares on Lively Island. — Value of the West Falkland. — Albatrosses. — ^Pink-breasted Terns. — Grebes. — Johnny Crows. — Disgusting habits of the latter. — Fishing a fraud. — Port Egmont. — A stream of stones. — Probable theory. — Rabbit-shooting on Saunders and Keppel Islands. — Woodcock or Snipe ? . . . . 47

CHAPTER VII. Patagonia

Discovery of Gold. — Sheep-farming at Possession Bay in the Straits of Magellan. — Harbours on the coast of Patagonia. — ^Egg Harbour the best for sport and safest anchorage. — A Guanaco-drive frustrated. — Cavy-hunting. — Habits of the Cavy. — The Elegant Tinamou. — Arid aspect of the country. — Absence of human life. — Tovalsland. — The mysterious Horse. — Fire on board the *Ruby.' — Port St. Elena. — Guanaco-stalking. — Description of the animal. — Habits of do. — Absence of fresh water. — Stalking Ostriches. — Patagonia as a pasture-land for Cattle and Sheep. — Evidence of the submergence of the whole Continent of South America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

CHAPTER Vni, The Welsh Colony op Chitpat.

Founding of the Colony. — Privations of the early Settlers. — Anchorage at Port Madryn. — Desolate country. — Attitude of the Argentine Government. — Energy

CONTENTS.

PAGE

of the Settlers. — Irrigation-works. — Heavy wheat crop. — Sheep, (Jattle, and Horses. — Position of Emigrants in a foreign land. — The Chupat and Port Madryn Eailway. — A reckless drive. — ^Duck-shooting about the Colony. — Skunks and Armadillos. — Adventure with a Skunk 68

CHAPTER IX. Chupat (contimted)

Habits of the Skunk; its pluck. — ^The Patagonian Indians. — Habits and hospitality of the Welsh Settlers ; their Language and Religion. — ^The Truck System. — ^Trade. — ^The Climate of Patagonia. — Varieties of Ostrich. — ^Hunting the Ostriches, Guanacos, and Cavies with Lurchers. — Expeditions into the Interior of the Country. — Kindness and hospitality of Mr. Luis Jones, the Founder of the Colony 77

CHAPTER X. Patagonia

Geological formation of Patagonia. — Evidence of subsidence of the Sea. — ^Fossil remains of Fish. — ^Flints and pebbles. — Stone and flint arrow-heads. — Curious cone near the. Chupat Railway.^ Cracker Bay a good locality for Sport. — ^Habits of the Armadillo and of the Ostrich. — Shooting Wild Cattle at Cracker Bay. — ^The midshipmen's battue. — ^A successful stalk with an old Bull.— The Port of San Bias.— Dangers of the Bar.— Mr.Mulhall's Estancia. — Sport there. — Gilpin's ride. — Advantages of San Bias harbour and its importance in time of war. — Bahia Blanca. — ^Habits of theViscachd. — ^Antediluvian remains, — Lightning-rods . . , . 84

CONTENTS. XI

Chapter XI

An Investigation into the Claim of the Aegbntine govebnhent to the falkland islands.

PAQB

The History of the Falklands from the earliest time to the present date. — Claims of the different Explorers conadered. — ^Discovery of Cape Horn by Drake, and of the Straits of Le Maire. — Davis the first discoverer of the Falklands. — French claim to have discovered the Islands. — ^Formal possession taken by an English Squadron in 1766. — Dispossession of the British by a Spanish force in 1770. — ^Voluntary abandonment by the British in 1774. — ^Appointment of a Governor by the Argentine Republic, 1829. — Action of the United States. — ^Possession retaken by H.M.S. * Clio,* 1833. — Claim of the Argentine Government not substantiated. 98

CHAPTER Xn.

Statbn Island ; Tiebba del Fuego ; and Visit to THE Mission Station at Ushuwaia.

Visit of ELM.S. ^Ruby ' to Ushuwaia, the head-quarters of the South-American Mission in Tierra del Fuego. — The Harbour of St. John's, Staten Island. — Description of the Island. — ^Visit to Captain Allen Gardiner's Grave at Spaniard Harbour, Tierra del Fuego. — ^Mr. Bridges's place at Down-East. — Description of the Natives, the " Yahgan " or Canoe Indians. — ^The " Ona " tribe. — Soil and Climate of Fuego. — Visit of Bishop Stirling to the Mission. — Atrocious outrage by the Captain of a Schooner. — ^Banner Cove, Picton Island, more suitable for the Mission Station. — ^Leave Ushuwaia for Down-East. — ^Beauty of the Country and its adaptability for Settlements. — Review of the prospects of the South- American Mission 107

Xll CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIIL Eio PabanA.

PAOB

Vessels of H JVl. Squadron on the S.E. coast of America. — Position of British Subjects in Paraguay. — Style of Vessel needed for the Rivers. — Pampero at Buenos Ayres. — Shooting at Diamante. — City of Parana. — Hemandaria. — Antediluvian remains. — ^'Jigging " fish. 128

CHAPTER XIV.

Rio PabanA (continued).

Birds of the Chaco. — La Paz. — Esquina. — Goya. — A dirty night. — ^Aground on a sandbank. — Bella Vista. — Corlientes. — The river Paraguay. — Humaita. — The river Bermejo. — ^The Gran Chaco. — ^Bravery of the Paraguayans. — Villa Pilar. — Paraguayan Tea. — Alligator-shooting. — Formosa. — The Guarani Language. — Arrive at Asuncion 139

CHAPTER XV.

Asuncion, Pabaguay.

The Capital of Paraguay. — Lopez's Palace. — Fertility of the soil in Paraguay. — Advanced Civilization. — The Market-place in Asuncion. — Expedition to the Paraguayan Chaco. — The river Pilcomayo. — Shooting in the Chaco. — Climate of ditto. — Wild Indians. — Description of Deer. — Mosquitos. — ^Return to Asuncion. — Loading Oranges at Villeta 147

CONTENTS. Xlll

CHAPTER XVI.

Rio PabanX and thb Chaco*

PAGE

Steaming down the Eio Paranll. — Cross over to the Chaco. — Peculiar customs of the Toba Indians. — The wild Indians of the Chaco. — Snakes and Mosquitos. — Shooting in the Chaco. — ^Varieties of trees. — Orchids and Ferns, — The Pavo del Monte or Bush- Turkey. — Recross the Parang. — ^Visit Santa F^, — Cross Entre-Rios by the Railway. — Value of land in Entre-Rios. — The Palace of Urquiza the Dictator. — Atrocities committed by him. — Cross the Uruguay River. — Visit to Mr. Peel's estancia Bella Vista. — Return to Buenos Ayres 167

CHAPTER XVII.

The Banda Ohiental.

Visit Don Juan Jackson's estancia at Timote. — Hospitable reception. — Deer and Partridge shooting. — Carpincho-shooting. — Return to the ship. — Heavy bag. — Second expedition to the Cerro Colorado. — ^Benefit of such expeditions to Naval Officers. — Best education for youngsters. — Attractions of Camp-life. — ^Fishing in the San Juan River. — The Estancias San Juan, San Pedro, and Estansuela. — Travelling by diligence. — ^Endurance of South-American Horses. — Cost of Horses. — Drought : effects on Cattle, Sheep, and Deer. — Plague of Locusts 169

XIV CONTENTS,

CHAPTER XVUI.

Buenos Atbbs. — Spobt at Las Lomas and Negbbtb.

PAGE

Expedition to Buenos Ayres. — The public gardens. — Condition of the streets. — The Tram system. — ^Horse-racing. — Pigeon-shooting. — Visit to the estancia " Las Lomas." — Good Partridge and Duck shooting. — ^Polo in South America. — A visit to Capt. Kemmis's estancia *'La8 Rosas." — Return to Buenos Ajres. — ^Negrete estancia. — Good Duck and Swan shooting. — Heavy bag of the latter 180

CHAPTER XIX.

Second and Thibd. Visit up the PabanX — San Pedbo, San Nicola^s, Rosabio, &c.

Expedition up the Parand in one of the Platense steamers. — Heat and mosquitos at Asuncion. — Another expedition in H.M. gunboat ' Rifleman.' — Touch at San Pedro and San Nicolas. — Shooting at Dos Hermanos. — Rosario. — Diamante. — The ' Aphrodite ' schooner-yacht. — ^Duck-shooting at Humaita. — Attempted escape of two prisoners. — Shooting Alligators in the Paraguay River. — ^We reach Asuncion in the gunboat. — Trip to Villa Rica. — Leave Asuncion. — Jumping the Bar. — Arrive at Florentia Colony , . 187

CHAPTER XX.

Flobentia Colony.

A big Snake, — Florentia Colony. — Estancia works. — Prosperity of the Colonists. — Fine climate. — Abundance of game. — Expedition after " Ciervo " with Narcissus. — A family of Porkers. — Heavy going in the

CONTENTS. XV

PAGB

swamps. — We kill a Deer. — Camp for the night. — Kill another Stag and return home. — ^The Aguar^. — ^The Ant-bear. — Leave Florentia. — Get ashore on a sandbank, — ^Remarks on Paraguay and the Chaco. — Baron Hirsch's scheme. — Prepare to leave the Plate for Brazil. — Last day's shooting near Monte Video . . 197

CHAPTER XXI.

Ubuguay and the Abgentine Republic.

Remarks on Uruguay and the Argentine Republic. — Natural -wealth and advantages of Uruguay. — The city of Monte Video, its handsome appearance from the water. — ^Beauty of the ladies. — Monte Video as a seaport.— Pamperos. — Necessity of a breakwater. — Port works at Buenos Ayres. — La Plata and Ensenada. — Trade with the Plate. — Living in Monte Video. — Quarantine regulations. — Collision with American barque. — Dock accommodation. — Lobes Island. — Maldonado and Gorriti Island. — Bull-fighting at Monte Video 209

CHAPTER XXn.

Bbazll. — ^Rio DE Janeeeo.

Beauty of the harbour. — The City Railways. — Tijuca. — Petropolis. — Expedition up the Dom Pedro Railway. — The Government Observatory at Rio. — The Slave question. — Chinese immigration. — English people not suited to the climate. — Salubrity of Brazil in the winter months. — The Brazilian Army and Navy. — The market-place at Rio. — Duck and Snipe shooting. Public works. — Tram system. — English community : sports and pastimes 223

XVI CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Santos and Sao Patjlo.

PAOB

The Port of Santos. — H.M. Consul. — ^His recipe for Yellow Fever. — ^Wonderful Snake stories. — Sao Paulo Railway and City. — Area of the Province. — Immigration. — Revolutionary attitude of Sao Paulo. — Bahia. — Beauty of the harbour. — The town. — Cathedral relics. — Fertility of the soil. — ^Exports. — The English community. — The Black population. — Shooting expedition. — Sportive instincts of the Negroes. — ^The Slave question. — Beri-Beri 235

CHAPTER XXIV.

Pebnambuco and Fernando do Noeonha.

Pernambuco the Venice of Brazil. — Description of the town. — The Recife. — RemarkaWe reef. — Trade in Pernambuco. — Scenery. — The city of OUnda. — ^The Priests. — Exports. — Sugar-estates. — Snakes. — ^Ants. — Law and order not regarded. — Railways. — Shooting expedition : a critical situation. — Sail for Fernando do Noronha, the Brazilian penal settlement. — ^Description of the island. — ^The ' Ardencaplo.' — Gallant conduct of her Captain. — ^Return to the Plate . . . . 248

CHAPTER XXV.

A Visit to the Island of Tbinidad, South Atlantic.

Homeward bound. — ^Visit to the Island of Trinidad. — Difficulty in landing. — Sea-birds. — Crabs. — ^We find water. — Barren nature of the island. — Unsuited for inhabitants. — ^We plant a record of our visit and sail for England. — Adventure with a Shark. — ^The race with U.S.S. 'Kearsarge' a draw. — Our Bag in the 'Ruby' 261

THE ? V i

PULLi: . ■ /■ k

ASTon. .zr.o\ ■ "^

J i

A8T0;j ' ^^3X AND JJ^N rO..NDATlONS.

SPOETING SKETCHES

IN

SOUTH AMERICA.

CHAPTER I. South Amehica fbom a Spobtsman's Point of View

Sport to be obtained there. — Three-years* Bag. — Local and Spanish names. — Old Keeper s remark. — Fishing. — Weapons. — Cartridges. — Dogs.: — The family of Tinamous. — Shooting-match. — ^Kindness of the Native Estancieros. — Different kinds of Sport: — The Battue, Snipe-shooting, Punt^shooting, Grouse- and Partridge - driving, Fox-hunting, Salmon-fishing, &c.

In the following Chapters I propose to give a sketch of South America from a naval officer^s point of view, and of the sport to be obtained there whilst engaged in the duties of ^^ protecting British interests/^ That this can be enjoyed without interfering with duty I ■shall endeavour to prove, and I am firmly convinced that a happy combination of work and sport is not only desirable, but is conducive to the best interest^

b2

4 three-years' bag.

of the service and to the health and temper of those in it. It has been said that sailors go round the world without observing it ; and such is in certain cases probably not far from the truth. At the same time, they often have unusual facilities for seeing out-of-the-way places, although they may not always have the power of describing them.

I made it a rule on returning from a day^s shooting to note down the exact bag brought on board, and have it entered in the log — i. e,y game book — and all my shipmates did the same. The result has been a faithful record of the game actually killed by the officers of the ^Ruby' during our commission, extending over three and a half years. This amount (13,349 head) is, perhaps, occasionally equalled in a week's shooting in England, where the game is strictly preserved and is comparatively tame, but our total represents many days of hard work, shooting over dogs in countries where the game is not preserved and has to be looked for, and, when killed, carried generally on men's backs. I intend, later on, to give a detailed account of each kind of sport, where and how to obtain it, together with the local and Spanish name of each species of bird or beast observed by us in South America.

I have heard the remark made on seeing our bag, " What a slaughter ! '' But there never was any slaughter, and what was killed was never wasted. With 250 mouths to feed it was easy to dispose of it. The most we ever got was 2000 head in four days.

three-years' bag.

chiefly Rabbits^ and this was in a cold climate where game would keep^ and so nothing was wasted.

Generally speaking, our bags were moderate ones^ often small, as might be expected in a wild country, and frequently limited by the difficulty of portage.

Some may be sceptical as to figures, and I bear in mind the remark of an old keeper, that " Shooters be liars, but fishers be liars.'' This is probable, but in our case we have understated the amount.

As regards fishing, I shall have but little to say. South America is no place for a fly-fisher ; there are no Trout or Salmon, but plenty of coarse fish of very large size in the rivers. These afford good sport, trolling with a spoon-bait, but I never had much time to devote to it, although passionately fond of the gentle art.

Our bag contains no savage beast, such as Tiger or Lion ; indeed these animals do not exist in South America, being represented by the Jaguar or Panther and by the Puma, respectively called Tigre and Leon ; the only large game we obtained being Deer of several species, Guanaco, Ostrich, and wild cattle. But to obtain these latter a rifle is necessary. They aftord grand sport, and are worthy of a chapter to themselves.

As regards the battery necessary for South America, I should suggest a pair of serviceable 12- bore guns with rebounding locks and top-lever action, none of your hammerless ones, which will

6 DOGS.

probably get out of order when no gun-maker is near. I should also recommend an English Express rifle^ though some prefer the American Winchester Express, but I have a '400-*450 Express, by Messrs. Powell and Son, of Birmingham, Martini-Henry action, which proved most successful. Cartridges, powder, shot, &c., had much better be brought out from home, although they can be purchased in Monte Video at double their price in England.

With regard to dogs, it is not necessary to have them highly-trained, such as one is accustomed to on a grouse moor in Scotland, dogs that drop to shot, and do not retrieve. Such animals would, of course, be always useful, but the best dog I ever had was a small French pointer that worked all day, stood steady to birds, and retrieved perfectly by land or water. The little fellow was taught on an entirely opposite system to that used with English dogs ; for instance, when the bird was shot he ran in and instantly retrieved it. This would be a fatal fault in highlypreserved estates, but is not so in a country where the birds do not go in coveys, but rise singly, and, if not killed, run and hide in the long grass.

Moreover, there is no ground game in the Argentine Republic, or the Banda Oriental; consequently, when the dog draws and points, you know that he is on feather. All the '^ Tinamous,'^ commonly called Partridges, are great runners, especially the large Partridge, or Martineta, so that it is necessary to keep close to the dog, or you may lose a

TINAMOUS.

chance by the bird getting up out of shot ; but, if the cover is thick and the dog steady, the bird will squat, and even have to be kicked up. The Elegant Tinamous ( Tinamtis elegans) , commonly called Crested Partridges, are found in coveys^They inhabit dry, bushy places, but run into the long grass and lie close. If one or more get up, you may be sure the rest are near, and will be found with a good dog.

The " Martinetas,'^ or large Partridge {Rhynchotus rufescens), are generally found in pairs, and if one rises the other is probably not far off.

These large Partridges are never found in the prodigious quantities that the small ones are, and I never remember killing more than twenty to twenty-five brace of Martinetas in one day with three guns, and only once made a good bag (forty-nine) of the '^ Elegans,^^ but the small Partridges can be killed in any quantity. They abound all over Uruguay and the Argentine Republic ; and very pretty sport it is over a dog, but becomes monotonous whea there is no other sort of game. Generally, however, there is a marsh or lagoon near, where Ducks and Snipe are to be found as a pleasant variety to the bag.

In April, 1888, I shot a friendly match against

Dr. B y an American dentist, in Monte Videos

reckoned one of the best shots in the country. We went out by train from Monte Video to Santa Lucia, and put up at an hotel for the night, and next morning drove to the shooting ground, which had

8 SHOOTING-MATCH.

not been disturbed. Each of us had bis dog^ and we agreed to shoot separately, but in sight, or at least within hearing of each other.

The Doctor commenced operations, and I noticed that he fired a double shot every time, which I could not understand, knowing that the birds invariably rose singly. By-and-by my turn began, and I got several shots, all single birds; still the Doctor's gun resounded with double report. We left off at eleven for breakfast, when the Doctor had eighteen brace and I had twenty brace of Partridges. We commenced again at 3 p.m., as it was too hot in the middle of the day, and shot till 5, when we had to drive home. The Doctor had secured twenty brace more, and I had twenty-one, so I beat him by three brace, making a total of seventy-nine brace : a very fair specimen of a day's partridge-shooting in the vicinity of Monte Video. I discovered the reason of the Doctor's firing both barrels. He was a noted pigeon-shot, and invariably fired directly the bird rose, generally missing with his first and killing with his second barrel. In this way he burnt a deal of powder. We were to have had a return match,

but, alas ! poor Dr. B died shortly after the day

above referred to.

The only sportsmen in the country are Englishmen, who are, as a rule, fanatics in the matter of sport. As to the natives, they would not take the trouble to lift a gun to kill a Partridge ; but if they wanted birds, they would send a small boy out on

DIFFERENT KINDS OF SPORT. 9

horseback with a long pole and a noose^ with which he would get as many as he required.

But, though they themselves donH shoot, they are very good about letting any sportsman go over their ground if he has the courtesy to ask permission. If not, the owner will probably object ; that is, in the neighbourhood of towns, not so much on account of the game, which they don't value, but because they say the shooting stampedes their cattle, and the cattle break down the wire fences.

Natives of these countries cannot see the object of a man going through a hard day's work for the sake of a bag of partridges which he can buy in the market. To these folk the best part of the day's sport would be the mid-day meal, and, from their point of view, they may be right. It is impossible to argue on the subject. For my part, I would sooner toil all day up to my middle in a marsh for a few couple of snipe and, maybe, a duck or so, than assist at the finest banquet that ever was spread. There is no accounting for taste. Take the battue, for instance. People ignorant of this style of shooting affect to despise it, call it slaughter, mobbing tame pheasants in a comer, &c. ; whereas it is really the most difficult of all shooting, and imless a man is a practised hand at it, he will be always behind his bird. So also with driven grouse or partridges, the fastest game birds that fly. Let the novice, or even an old sportsman, try his hand at it for the first time, and see what an exhibition he will make

10 DIFFERENT KINDS OF SPORT.

of himself until he gets the '^ hang^^ of it. In fact, opinions differ as to what constitutes sport.

Punters claim that the wholesale massacre of ducks is the acme of sport. So it may be, for it demands the utmost patience, skill, and endurance to stand the work and secure a bag. Fox-hunters say there is nothing like fox-hunting.

The salmon-fisher wonH allow there is anything to come near his particular fancy, and in this I agree with him, but no one will persuade me that pheasant-^ shooting or grouse-driving compare with shooting over dogs in a wild country, where you first have to find the game, although I allow that it is far easier to shoot when found than when driven. Pages have been written on this subject, and we are no '^ forrader,^' as the farmer said after his third bottle of claret.

To my mind, there is no finer sport than stalking Guanaco in the wilds of Patagonia. It is equal to deer-stalking in Scotland, and that is saying a great deal, for I have tried both.

Again, the suipe-shooter is of opinion that his particular amusement "takes the cake'' for sport, and so it does of its kind, especially if there is a duck or two thrown in. Can there be any finer sport than " flight shooting " for ducks ? And, as for Cariboo-stalking on the barrens of Newfoundland, why, it would be hard to beat I The fact is, all the above constitute sport of first-class character, and there is no use in arguing about it. Let each

DIFFERENT KINDS OF SPORT. 11

one stick to his fancy, and enjoy it while he may.

Of the higher branches of sport, such as pigsticking, tiger-hunting, elephant-shooting, &c., I have no experience, but I will endeavour in another chapter to give an account of the more modest style of sport that obtains in South America, and is within reach of the generality of the public, and of sailors in particular.

I reckon that there are no less than fourteen different kinds of shooting in South America, independent of '^ Jaguar,'^ ^'Puma,'^ or "Tapir,'' of which latter I have had none ; the others I will describe in due course. Of these fourteen classes there are several varieties, so that one might devote a chapter to each^ were it not for fear pf wearying the reader. I have not included pigeon trap-shooting in this category, although it is practised by clubs in Monte Video and Buenos Ayres, but this class of shooting can hardly be included under the name of sport, but is rather a prostitution of it.

CHAPTER IL

SUMMABY OP SpOBT IN SoUTH AmSBIGA.

Shooting over Dogs. — The small Partridge. — The Martineta. — The Crested Partridge. — Wild-Goose shooting. — Duck, Teal, and Wigeon. — Flight-shooting. — Snipe-shooting. — Goanaco-staUdng. — ^Hunting the Gaanaco. — Cavy-shooting. — Coursing the Cavy. — Ostrich-shooting. — Driving the Ostrich. — Stalking the Ostrich. — Coursing the Ostrich. — Hunting the Ostrich with the Bolas. — ^Deer-shooting. — Stalking the " Gama." — Coursing the " Gama." — Stalking the " Ciervo." — The " Ghazu-vira." — Hare-shooting. — Coursing the Hare. — ^Rabbit-shooting. — Carpincho-shooting. — Shooting the Pavo del Monte. — Wild-Cattle stalking. — Wild-Pig shooting. — Alligator-shooting.

Summary of sport in South America : —

1. Shooting over dogs. — (a) the small Partridge ; (J) the Martineta ; (c) the Crested Partridge.

2. Wild-fowl shooting. — (a) Wild-Swan shooting ; (J) Wild-Goose shooting; (c) Duck^Teal, and Wigeon; {d) Flight-shooting.

3. Snipe-shooting on the Parana, Uruguay, and the Falkland Islands.

4. Guanaco-stalking. Hunting the Guanaco with dogs.

5. Cavy - shooting. Coursing the Cavy with lurchers.

6. Ostrich-shooting. — {a) Driving the Ostrich;

14 SUMMARY OF SPORT.

(A) stalking the Ostrich ; {c) coursing the Ostrich with dogs ; {d) hunting the Ostrich with bolas.

7. Deer-shooting. — {a) Stalking the ^^Gama;" (A) coursing the Gama with lurchers; {c) jumping the Gama; (rf) stalking the ^'Ciervo;'' {e) the '' Ghazu vira/^

8. Hare-shooting. — Coursing the Hare.

9. Rabbit-shooting.

10. Carpincho-shooting.

11. Wild-Turkejr shooting ('^Pavo del Monte '').

12. Wild-Cattle stalking.

13. Wild-Pig shooting.

14. Alligator-shooting.

All the foregoing can be enjoyed by the average sportsman, but more especially by naval officers, who have unusual facilities for moving about to the best places at the proper season.

Of course, a yachtsman can go where he pleases ; but we cannot all keep yachts, and those who can seldom care to go so far for sport, but prefer the attractions of the Solent. The charm of this class of sport is that it costs nothing, and therefore sailors can enjoy it as well as a millionaire, aye, and with far more gusto, since we are not surfeited with pleasures, but have to make the most of our opportunities.

Referring to the above list, I will commence with ^^ Partridge-shooting,^^ of which birds there are three kinds — viz., the small Partridge, the large Partridge, or Martineta, and the Crested Partridge. I must explain that ^^ Partridge ^^ is only

PARTRIDGE-SHOOTING. 15

the translation of the commonly applied Spanish name for the Tinamous — ^^perdiz/' All the above are species of the genus " Tinamus/^ but their proper scientific name will be given when necessary.

The small Partridge, ^'perdiz comun^' {Nothura maculosa), is distributed all over the Banda Oriental, Entre-Rios, and the Argentine Republic. It is also found in Brazil, but is more plentiful in the first three countries. Another species of the same bird, Nothura Darunni, is found in Patagonia, inhabiting the same kind of open grass country, and is fairly abundant on the pampas as far south as lat. 45^ S., and probably even beyond that parallel. This species, called " perdiz chica,^^ or small Partridge, is somewhat smaller and of paler plumage than the '^perdiz comun,'^ but is similar in its habits.