Sette Anni di Caccia Grossa é Note di Viaggio in America, Asia, Africa, Europa

Abstract

ENGLISHMEN are, perhaps somewhat too inclined to believe that great game shooting is a special prerogative of the Anglo-Saxon; but the publication of the present work, together with the recently issued English translation of Count Potoeki'e “Sport in Somaliland,” should do something to dissipate this mistaken notion. Count Felice Scheibler may, indeed, be said to be a “mighty hunter,” and the frequent mention of his name in Mr. Rowland Ward's “Records of Big Game” will suffice to show that many of the animals that fell to his rifle have yielded trophies of more than usual size. As is indicated in the title of the volume before us, the author's seven years' hunting included experiences of the great game of all the four continents of the world although in Asia his travels were limited to India and Ceylon, and in America to the United States and the Dominion of Canada. A well written and well illustrated record of such extensive experiences could not fail to be of interest, not only to his brother sportsmen, but likewise to naturalists; and the present volume may be truthfully said to fulfil both these conditions. The 250 text-figures with which the work is embellished are for the most part reproductions from photographs taken respectively by the author, Prince di Teano, and Mr. Seton Karr, and are remarkable alike for the manner in which they have been executed and the care with which they have been printed. A large number of these illustrations deal with animals which were shot by the Count, and although most of these were taken after death, yet they frequently portray very clearly some of the more striking characteristics of the particular species. The views of scenery and hunting scenes are, moreover, specially good, and will give to stay-at-home readers an excellent idea of the nature of the districts in which sport was obtained, and of the mode in which various animals are hunted. Of especial interest is the photograph, on p. 176, of recently captured elephants crowded into a kedda, while those representing the elephant tamers at work are scarcely less attractive. Some of the titles to the illustrations, such as “II bufalo record,” are perhaps a little comic, but Italian, like French, has not yet evolved a sporting language of its own. Sette Anni di Caccia Grossa é Note di Viaggio in America, Asia, Africa, Europa. By Comat Felice Scheibler. Pp. xv + 525. Illustrated. (Milan: U. Hoepli, 1900.)