WILD SPORTS OF BURMAH AND ASSAM.
Wild Sports of Burma and Assam. By Colonel Pollok and W. S. Thom. With Maps and Illustrations. (Hurst and Blackett. 16s.)—Mr. Thom describes the game of Upper Burmah and Colonel Pollok Lower Burmah, which he knew before the northern province was annexed. Both these writers know Assam, but Colonel Pollok subscribes the description of its game. The name of Pollok is a sufficient guarantee that the hunting description will be vivid and expressive of the fascination of big-game shoot- ing, and a perusal of this volume only convinces us of the truth of an opinion we have already passed, that no writer can surpass Colonel Pollok in the vivid portrayal of the hunt and the gradually culminating excitement of a tiger, gaur, or tame hunt. Nor is his skill confined to the actual phase or its emotions ; the shikaris are drawn for us, and we seem to know the elephants with individual peculiarities. It is amusing to think that these ponderous creatures are as nervous as any cat, and that an animal ready to face a tiger takes to flight at the sight of a galloping pony. Mr. Thom is a very successful raconteur, and he gives most circumstantial accounts of his hunts, and, of course, knows the country and people thoroughly, for which knowledge we are grateful in his local colouring. Mr. Thom gives much sound advice as regards hunting localities and equipment, and seems to have a thorol gh knowledge of the ferm naturx of Upper Burmah, all of which he places without stint at the reader's disposal. There are many capital photographs, "Elephants Crossing a River" being an especially good one. I great deal of interesting natural history is to be found in this composite book, which embodies the know- ledge and experience of two authorities of the first rank, to whose ability to preserve it in print—a gift somewhat rare—we owe a double debt of gratitude.
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