(/£NFfy4L DOUGLAS Tf/JMILTON - m^^%m <<<< * Sketched byLievt- Colonel Do WATERFALL NEAR THE VILLAGE OF KILLEYOR. Douglas Hamilton, the youngest of eight sons of Charles Hamilton of Sudbury Grove, Middlesex, and of Kensworth House, Herts, was born on the 8th of April, 1818, and was educated at Harrow School. In 1834 he went to Addiscombe, and received his commission in the Indian Army in 1837, being gazetted to the 21st Regiment of Madras Native Infantry; embarking at Portsmouth in the "Duke of Argyle " on September 1st of the same year, and arriving in the Madras Roads on the the 14th December. By the advice of his uncle Captain George Peevor of His Majesty's 17th Foot, who had served in the Nepaul Campaign of 1815-16 and in the Mahratta and Pindaree wars, 1817-18, including the capture of Jubbulpore, he kept a journal from the day he embarked for Madras in 1837 to the day of his death in 1892, and fourteen thick quarto volumes, most carefully written, record all the successes and the failures of his sporting life in India as well as many other interesting events. In the same Presidency, but his senior in the Service as in years was his brother Richard, a Captain in the 1st Regiment M.N. I., who was afterwards so well known to all Southern Indian sportsmen as the author of " Game " under the soubriquet of " Havvkeye." Although as fond of sport as his elder brother, Douglas Hamilton was, in his younger days, a very indifferent shot, especially with the rifle, and he had to stand a good deal of chaff from his brother officers ; but in course of time by dint of patience, perseverance, and determination, he became one of the best rifle shots in the Presidency, and a better sportsman never pulled a trigger. Although his earliest experience with the rifle was with Antelope as described in the first chapter of these Records, his great ambition was to try his hand and eye on bigger game, and this he was able to do in after years to his heart's content. His well-known Hut near Pykara on the Nielgherries was the rendezvous of many, famous in Indian sporting annals. His first wish was to shew the best sport to all who visited him and his entire abnegation of self was ever conspicuous and thoroughly appreciated. In 1S46 he went with his regiment to Singapore, and was lucky enough to obtain three months' leave to visit the Island of Java, as he describes it, the most beautiful island in the world. He had every hope of obtaining some grand sport, but unfortunately in this though fortunately in every other respect, the Governor of Singapore gave him a special letter of introduction to the Governor General at Batavia ; the consequence of this was that from the excessive care they took of him and the dread that any mishap should befall him when out shooting, his great desire of being able to bag a rhinocerous or a Javanese tiger was entirely frus- trated, as the shikaries had strict orders never to allow him to get anywhere near either of these beasts. In every other respect his wishes were at once acceded to. He was received with all honours and he was enabled by the means placed at his disposal by the Governor General to visit the greater part of the island, and his descriptions of the temples and excursions to the great volcanoes are full of interest. On his return to Singapore he was sent with his company to Labuan to replace the Marines decimated by fever, and in that Island he remained for some months. In 1849. he visited England on furlough and returned to India in 1852. He took great interest in the conservation of the Forests in Southern India, and often visited his old friend Michael (now General Michael, C.S.I.) who was organizing an Experimental Con- servancy Establishment on the Annamullay Hills, and he was appointed to act as his " locum tenens " when Michael was invalided to England in 1854. He took so kindly to these new duties that in 1857 when Michael was again invalided and had to relinquish the ". > .;'■;'.', 5 t s a. Xlll. work altogether, he succeeded permanently to the appointment, and afterwards became an Assistant Conservator under Dr. Cleghorn in the forest department which sprang from this beginning. He had, however, at times to return to his military duties, and in i860 he went with his regiment to Hong Kong, returning to Madras in February, 1861. In 1862 he was given a roving commission by Sir Charles Trevelyan to make drawings for the Government of all the hill plateaux in Southern India which were likely to suit as Sanitaria, or quarters for European troops, &c. A series of careful drawings of the Annamullay, Pulney 1 and Shervaroy Hills was the result. While at work on this commission he had great opportunities not only of following his favourite pursuit, but also of observing the habits of the various animals inhabiting the different districts. These well-known drawings proved that he was a most accurate observer as well as a careful draughtsman. Each series of drawings was accompanied by a full report of the districts. 2 The Pulney mountains are situated between 10° and io° 15" north latitude, and jf 20' and 77° 55" east longitude, in the Madura District. They extend in a north-easterly direction from the great mass of mountains known as the Western Ghauts, to which theyare connected by an Isthmus, or ridge of hills about eight miles in width ; being completely isolated on every other side. To the north are the Districts of Coimbatore and Trichinopoly ; those of Madura and Tanjore lie to the east ; Tinnevelly and Travancore to the south and west. There is an abundant supply of water on the higher range throughout the year. In some of the valleys, according to Captain Ward, there are extensive morasses and in the swamps near Kudai- karnal peat of very good quality has been found. On these moun- ' In the modern spelling of these mountains Pulney becomes Pulni, Anna- mullay— Anaimalais, Nielgherry — Nilgiri. 2 Since these reports were sent in the Pulneys and the other ranges of hills in Southern India have been most carefully surveyed, and the population accurately taken, &c. XIV. tains arc the sources of upwards of thirty large streams which form eleven good sized rivers. The population of the higher Pulnis consist of a mixed race viz. : — Kooroovers, Pooliars, Vadogars, Maravers, Chetties, and a few Pariahs. The Chetties are the traders, and are found in considerable numbers on the hills. The other inhabitants are occupied in cultiva- tion, they are the dupes of the traders from the plains, from whom they purchase goods and occasionally borrow money at exorbitant interest. Many of the inhabitants are fine robust powerful men, but they have all the appearance of being a mixed race, and there is no distinct stamp of character such as is found amongst the Todas and Kotas of the Nielgherries and the Karders of the Annamullies. The climate of these hills appear to me to be milder and of a more even temperature than that of Ootacamund, though the altitude of the sites of the houses at Kudaikarnal is within a few feet of that of the Ootacamund Lake. There is a less amount of rain fall during the year than on the Nielgherries, but it is more equally distributed. During my stay at Kudaikarnal I kept a register of the temperature with two thermometers, one placed in the open verandah and the other in a room without a fire. The register shows a remarkable evenness of temperature. As an instance of the salubrity of the climate, I may mention that although my servants were much exposed during the monsoon to the inclemency of the weather, yet with the exception of one case of cold and slight fever, they were perfectly healthy, which I know from experience would not have been the case at Ootacamund under similar circumstances. In 1861 he went to the Shervaroy Hills to make a series of drawings, and the following are extracts from the report. " The Shervaroy Hills are situated in the Salem District of the Madras Presidency, about six miles to the north of Salem, in north latitude 11° 50" and east longitude 78' 20". They form the northern boundary of the valley in which the town of Salem lies. Their entire length from north to south is about seventeen miles, I g ft. ft! !« s § Si tt ft: ft. ft. X ft] <) a u I XVII. with a breadth of from ten to twelve miles forming an irregular mass of mountains intersected by deep valleys. The superficial area of the higher plateau has been estimated at one hundred square miles, but this must include all the hills with the exception of quite the lower spurs. The Shervaroyen on the Green Hills is the highest mountain, its elevation is variously estimated, but from 5,200 to 5,300 feet above the sea level is perhaps the nearest approximation ; the higher por- tions of the plateau are from 4,500 to 5,000 feet: the western and southern portions attain the greatest elevation descending to the east- ward to 2,500 feet above the level of the sea. The whole range is separated into three divisions called Nauds, viz., Moch or Mogo-naud, Salem-naud and Mootoo-naud. Yercaud, the present settlement, is in the latter naud. The inhabitants of these mountains are called Vellalers or Malay- alies (mountaineers), they numbered in 1861 about 3,500 and occupy, seventy-nine villages scattered over the hills ; very little appears to be known as to their origin. According to the generally accepted tradition they emigrated from Conjcveram about six hundred years ago; in appearance and habits they differ little from the inhabitants of the plain, speaking the same language (Tamil) and being of the same religion (Hindoo). They are tolerably healthy-looking, and certainly have no appearance of a fever-stricken race. Their dress is similar to the natives of the plains ; a black cumbly is generally worn by the men in cold and inclement weather, but it appears to be considered too great a luxury for their women, who do as much, if not more, out-door labour than the male population. The Malay- alies, like most other hill tribes in India, are not cleanly in their dress or habits, their villages are usually situated in the valleys amidst their cultivation, and from the peculiar shape of their huts have a very singular appearance. They are of a circular form, the walls are made of split bamboo with an outer coating of mud ; the roof is conical, and thatched with grass. " The Malayalies possess considerable herds of cattle and a few goats. According to Dr. Fasken's Report on the Shervaroys, written XV111. in 1824, they then appeared to have had a superior breed of black cattle; the distinctive color has disappeared, but the hill cattle are still superior to the ordinary run of cattle on the plains ; sheep are said not to thrive on the Shervaroys and are therefore seldom met with. "Yercaud, the principal settlement, is situated on the southern portion of the hills, or that nearest Salem, its average elevation is about 4,500 feet above the sea ; the houses are scattered over irregular undulating hills. There are several good roads traversing the Settle- ment forming pleasant rides and drives." " Until lately there were only two ghauts leading to the high ranges, viz., the ghaut from Salem on the southern, and the Mallapo- ram ghaut on the northern side. The former is six miles in length ; some portions of it are very steep, it might be much improved and shortened, but a road for wheeled carriages could not be made except at a great expense ; by this ghaut all supplies, &c, are brought from Salem. The northern ghaut leading from the Railway Station at Mallaporam (eight miles from the foot of the hills) to Yercaud, vid Nagalore, is at present an unmade bridle-path, but the gradients are easy, and it might be made into a carriage ghaut." "A bridle-path has recently been opened down the valley lead- ing to Athoor, a few miles to the west of Mallaporam. The Railway at this place (Athoor) approaches to within two and a half miles of the foot of the pass, the pass itself being only five and a quarter miles to the Green Hills and eight miles to Yercaud; the gradients are easy with the exception of one small portion, and a good bridle-road could be constructed at a moderate expense. The only difficulty I noticed to its being made a carriage road was the ascent of a steep spur about two and a half miles from its summit ; could this be surmounted, a carriage road vid Nagalore and Mallaporam would not be required. By ascending the Athoor ghaut, the summit of the Shervaroys can be reached from Madras with the greatest ease in twelve hours, an im- mense saving of time compared with the hitherto used route, vid Salem, where the traveller had to remain one night on the plains, or if he attempted to make the ascent, seldom reached his destination to b* O as s 3 I 3 XXI. before midnight. This pass is the nearest approach to the Green Hills, the highest and most healthy portion of the Shcrvaroys where it is hoped when the unreasonable dread of fever has disappeared, the wealthy residents of Madras will eventually establish their country villas. Though the Green Hills are only a few hundred feet higher than Yercaud, and the difference of temperature is scarcely two degrees, yet there is a freshness in the mountain air, which is alto- gether lost amidst the dense vegetation of Yercaud. This change is most marked to any one leaving the latter and ascending the former place. Water is more abundant on the Green Hills than elsewhere, three or four streams, that never fail even in the driest seasons, are to be found here, as well as an extensive range of excellent soil suitable for gardens, and numerous sites for houses commanding the most ex- tensive and grandest views on the Shcrvaroys. Several miles of road could be constructed without difficulty, and a lake formed in the swamp below the village of Munjaykoottay. It is difficult to conceive a more charming spot than the Green Hills might become with build- ing plots well selected, grounds judiciously planted out, and a fine lake. " The Casuarina grows well on the hills, and is highly orna- mental. There are also several Australian acacias and eucalypti, but they have rather a stunted appearance and certainly do not thrive as well as on the Nielgherries or Pulnies. The Rhododendron is not found on the Shervaroys, it requires a greater altitude ; according to Dr. Cleghorn, Conservator of Forests, it is not met with in Southern India below an elevation of 5,500 feet. " Many fruits, both European and Indian, succeed well on these Hills, apples, pears, peaches, plums, loquats, figs, strawberries, oranges, lemons, limes, citrons, shaddocks, guavas, plantains and the Brazil cherry, are found in the gardens. The oranges are excellent, quite equal to those of Coonoor. The pear tree grows in every hedge and garden of Yercaud in great abundance ; there are two kinds both of a coarse quality, but they are left in an almost wild state and might be much improved by cultivation, or others of a better description introduced. Apples appear to succeed well ; but there are not XX11. many trees as yet on the hills. The loquat abounds, and some of the trees bear fruit of a very superior flavour. The vine when tended with care, has succeeded well. "Nearly every kind of European vegetable grows to perfection, and excellent potatoes might be abundantly produced. " The flowers that have been imported, such as geraniums, roses, fuschias, heliotrope, verbenas, &c, grow almost wild, especially the roses and geraniums. " There can be no doubt that the Shervaroys might become the market garden of Madras, with the Railway at the foot of the hills, and the Athoor ghaut open to traffic, fruits and vegetables fresh from the gardens could be delivered in the Madras market twelve hours after leaving the hills. There is very good garden ground on the Green Hills, and an ample supply of water might be obtained by sinking wells should no stream be available. Capital laid out in estab- lishing a large fruit and vegetable garden to supply the city of Madras would certainly prove more remunerative than Coffee planting, but it must not be expected that any garden on a large scale can be estab- lished without considerable labour, care and expense ; like most rich and uncultivated land, the soil abounds with destructive grubs, cater- pillars and other insects. Many persons who have attempted to form vegetable gardens have given up in despair on seeing crop after crop destroyed by insects ; one especially, a dark nearly black grub is the most destructive of all, and very difficult to get rid of, but with care and perseverance the soil can be sufficiently cleaned of them and good crops produced, as a few of the gardens on the hills testify. " The climate of the Shervaroys is exceedingly delightful, being at a much less elevation than the Nielghcrries, and consequently warmer, the new arrival from the plains feels none of the bad effects from the sudden change so liable to occur on reaching the colder climate of Ootacamund ; yet the air on these hills is sufficiently bracing to be invigorating, and the effect produced on the languid heat-stricken frame of a person long resident on the plains is astonishing. The temperature appears to be very even throughout the year. " The game animals found on these hills are tigers, panthers, XX1U. bears, bison, sambur, spotted-deer, muntjack, or barking-deer, mouse- deer, wild hog, jungle fowl, spurfowl, hares, partridges, quails, also woodcock and snipe in the season. The tiger is rarely met with on the higher range. Panthers are more numerous, and the planters and other residents occasionally have their dogs carried off by these prowling depredators. There are very few bison, and those only found in the lower thickly wooded valleys where bears are also occasionally met with. Sambur are not numerous ; none are found on the upper ranges. The spotted-deer inhabits the bamboo jungles on the slopes of the hills, and has at rare intervals been seen in the neighbourhood of Yercaud ; but it is now so reduced in number that the most persevering sportsman rarely falls in with it. The muntjack, generally known as the jungle sheep, is pretty numerous amongst the Coffee gardens and jungles of Yercaud ; but from its wary habits and the jungle being so continuous and thick it cannot be easily driven, and is consequently seldom shot. Wild hog are also rather numerous, but for the same reasons are not often killed. The little mouse-deer is rarely seen, but its foot prints are found in many places. The jungle fowl, spurfowl, hares, partridges and quails, afford an occasional shot during a morning's walk, but good dogs are re- quired to find them. There is tolerable woodcock and snipe shooting during the season from November to March. " The Malayalies are great adepts at netting game. Even the tiger being occasionally captured by them ; the mode they adopt is to enclose a large space with nets and drive the game towards them, when the animals become entangled in the meshes and are destroyed in their attempts to escape. " The cause of these mountains not having become so fre- quented, as they deserve to be, is owing to the bad name they have obtained for fever. Many people at Madras would as soon encamp in the most deadly jungle as go to the Shervaroys, there is no doubt that in occasional seasons when the south-west monsoon has been late in setting in, there is a good deal of fever on the hills during the months of May and June, and at long intervals there have been severe out- breaks of fever ; but few stations in India are entirely free from such XXIV. outbreaks, and as a general rule the Shervaroy fever is not of a severe type and is easily amenable to treatment. "Assistant-Surgeon W. R. Cornish, Secretary to the Principal Inspector General Medical Department, who inquired minutely into the subject during his visit in 1861, is of opinion that the Shervaroy fever, when it does occur, is quite as much under control of medicine as the same form of disease elsewhere. " Climate suitable for Invalids.— -It is not improbable that some forms of disease, which are aggravated by the Nielgherry climate, may be treated with benefit on the Shervaroy Hills, such as rheu- matism, chronic affection of the liver, bowels, air passages, &c. It is not however to invalids suffering from organic disease that our mountain climates hold out much ground of hope; but rather to those who are simply exhausted in mind and body from prolonged exposure to a high temperature in a low country, and who need rest from work and a cooler air to breathe. These are the cases which benefit in a remarkable degree from a short residence on the Sher- varoys. " Admitting the full force of the objection that the hills are occa- sionally malarious, it is no less certain that they are free from many of those sources of disease which abound in the plains. Malignant cholera and dysentery destroy one-half of those who die in our European armies located on the plains, ' fevers ' on the other hand, do not cause more than one-tenth of the whole mortality. There can be no question that where a choice of evils is to be had it is best to adopt the minor one. Our statistics show that the mortality from fevers, including the 'continued' and ' typhoid' varieties in the Madras Presidency, do not exceed one per cent. ; whereas of every two Europeans attacked by the cholera-poison, one dies, and of every 100 cases of dysentery, seven prove fatal." " The Shervaroy Hills have as yet enjoyed an immunity from cholera, and it is evident that with due attention to sanitation, this terrible pest can never obtain a footing. Its germs have, as before shown, been frequently introduced, but the conditions necessary to their development have as yet been wanting. Dysentery, hepatitis, XXV. and insolation, are diseases unknown amongst Europeans in the Shervaroy climate." In 1863 he made a series of sketches on the high ranges of the Annamullies. In his report he says : " They are situated on the southern boundary of the Coimbatore District, in the Madras Presi- dency, and are divided into the Higher and the Lower Ranges ; the latter, lying to the westward contain the famous Teak Forests ; their average elevation is not more than 2,000 feet above the level of the sea, with peaks and ridges rising to 4 and 5,000 feet. The whole of the lower range, with the exception of a few bare and rocky peaks, is covered with dense forest containing much valuable timber ; whereas the higher range lying to the eastward consists of extensive open grassy hills and valleys with shola forests similar to those on the Neilgherries and Pulnies, varying in elevation from 6,000 to 8,coo feet and upwards, above the sea level. The range is only separated from the Pulnies, which lie to the eastward, by the valley of Ungeenaad ; this valley is not more than 12 or 15 miles across in a straight line ; its western end is shut in by two blocks of well- wooded mountains with plateaux on their summits forming a connect- ing link between the Annamullies and the Pulnies. Viewed from the line of railway near Coimbatore, the Annamullays and Pulnies appear as one continuous range of mountains. "The high ranges were first visited in 1851 by General Michael who was then in charge of the teak forests ; during the visit he dis- covered the beautiful valley now bearing his name. "The distance from the foot of the hills, via Appia Mullay to Michael's Valley, is about 20 miles, viz., 9 miles to Appia Mullay and 1 1 miles further on to the valley. 1 " I was on these mountains for two months with eight Native followers who were all perfectly healthy, with the exception of two slight cases of fever, brought on by a day's exposure to cold and wet (the Natives at Ootacamund frequently contract fever from 1 It is in this valley that a shooting camp was prepared in 1875 f° r H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. — Ed. XXVI. similar causes), and taking into consideration the indifferent shelter afforded, their constant exposure to all the vissicitudes of climate during a period when elsewhere fever generally prevails, it may be accepted as a very fair criterion that the position of Michael's valley and the surrounding plateau is most favourable to health, and the high ranges once attained, there need be no apprehension of fever under ordinary circumstances. The Natives of these mountains do not exhibit the same symptoms of an unhealthy region, as is observed in the inhabitants of the lower Pulnies ; and I think I may safely assert, that these hills will eventually prove fully as free from fever as the Nielgherries, and possessing a climate equal to any of the ranges at present known." " It is difficult to judge the superficial area of a mountain range with accuracy by the eye, but having walked over nearly, indeed, I may say, the whole of the Annamullay Plateau, I think I am not far wrong in estimating it to be between 80 and 100 square miles, but this includes a large tract situated in the Travancore territory. The broken nature of these mountains causes the scenery to be far more varied and beautiful than generally met with either on the Pulnies or Nielgherries ; but, as may be expected from their propinquity, there is much similarity in many respects in all three ranges. The general trend of the Highlands is N.N.E. and S.S.W., the highest elevations being to the north-east and to the south, gradually decreasing in sloping undulating hills towards the west, excepting the Arnee Moody mountain and its plateau; which is situated at the extreme S.S. West end of the range." " I will now proceed to relate events attending an excursion I made to the great Arnee Moody mountain vid ' Coomarikul,' the ' Kartu Mullay,' and across the two last mentioned blocks of table- land, this portion of the hills having never before been visited, that I am aware of. I first attempted to reach the mountain near the end of April, but owing to excessive inclemency of weather was obliged to return to Michael's valley. On the 4th May, I again started for the mountain, accompanied by Mr. Faulkner of the 17th Lancers. Our first march was to Coomarikul Mullay, by a path used by the XXV11. Pooliars and Moodoovvars, of very easy gradients, which, as Michael remarks in his report, " might be cantered over on horse-back in its ' present state,' the distance by this path is about seven miles ; between Coomarikul and Michael's valley we passed two remarkable precipices situated on each side of a wooded valley leading to the westward ; these precipices must have at some remote period been sea-worn cliffs, as they could be formed in no other way. Clouds obscured the distant view, or part of the Kartu Mullay plateau would have been visible beyond the valley which trends away to the north- west. Our next encampment was at the foot of the Kartu Mullay, to reach which we had to ascend the summit of the Coomarikul Mullay, and proceed to the westward along the precipitous ridges overhanging the Ungeenaad valley. The views from this mountain are the grandest and most extensive I have ever beheld ; some of the precipices are of stupendous magnitude, and the charming variety of scenery, comprising undulating grassy hills, wooded valleys, rocky crags, overhanging precipices, the green fields, in the valley of Un- geenaad, the grand mass of the Pulnies beyond, and the blue ranges in the far distance, present a view far beyond my power to describe, and which must be seen to be appreciated ; in a word, the scenery in the Annamullays is surpassingly grand, and incomparably beau- ful; on our way to the Kartu Mullay we disturbed several herds of ibex, which, as they bounded amongst the crags and precipices, added greatly to the effect of the grand and wild features of the country we were passing through. I noticed two or three aqueducts similar to those met with on the Pulnies, probably made by the inhabitants of the Ungeenaad valley for the purpose of conveying water to their fields ; others were observed on the Puddicul Mullay. This day's march over the mountain was about six miles. The Pooliars, who were sent on ahead, had constructed two comfortable huts for us ; they are most expert at this work, erecting a neat and perfectly water- tight hut in a very short time ; the walls and roof are made of the hill bamboo, supported by stems of small trees, and interlaced with grass and leaves ; the uprights and rafters being neatly tied together with strips of bark. XXV111. " On the 7th May, we started for the great Arnee Moody moun- tain, leaving our camp at 10 minutes to 6 a.m., ascending over a spur of the Kartu Mullay (at the foot of which we were encamped), we then descended on to a fine undulating plateau, and after a walk of about four miles arrived at a beautifully wooded narrow valley, through which a stream, studded with Rhododendrons, was running in a south-easterly direction. This valley rises in its centre, and another stream flows exactly in the opposite direction, viz., to the north-west; the valley is at least 1,200 feet below the plateau, the descent being exceedingly steep and rugged. After crossing the stream, we struck into a well worn elephant path, ascending the opposite slope by a series of short zigzags, these were so perfect and regular that we could scarcely believe it possible they were made by those animals. After ascending the zigzags we diverged from the path leaving it on our left, and reached, by a steep ascent, a mag- nificent plateau considerably higher than the one we had just crossed, and apparently about 7 miles long by 4j miles broad, being by far the most extensive table-land on the range ; it is studded with sholas, and watered by two streams of considerable size, the largest winding in a northerly direction through undulating hills bordered by a broad swamp capable of being converted into an extensive lake. This stream eventually descends into the deep valley previously mentioned, forming a picturesque water-fall. The other stream rises in an exten- sive morass, and takes an easterly course falling into the western end of the Ungeenaad valley ; besides these two large streams numerous smaller ones run into them. "This plateau is, I believe, to be nearly if not quite as high as that of Ootacamund. The Arnee Moody itself is separated from it by a deep precipitous wooded ravine. It could only be reached by making a detour to the left or east, descending, into a rather deep valley, and then ascending the left hand spur. The ascent occupied us one hour and ten minutes fast walking. Its sum- mit is full 1,500 feet above the plateau, and consists of a narrow ridge about 300 or 400 yards in length running north-cast and south-west. A range of hills extends for some distance to the west, with open XXIX. grassy summits, but no table land; beyond this mountain immense forests are seen to the westward as far as the eye can reach, re- sembling in some measure the prospects from the hills to the west of Neddivuttum on the Neilgherries, but the forests appear far more extensive. Unfortunately the clouds soon shut out the view, pre- venting my completing a sketch of the plateau from the summit. This grand mountain, standing out alone as it does amongst smaller hills no doubt appears higher than it really is, but viewing it from several points, more especially on a clear day, from the Nielgherrics, confirms me in the opinion that it is the most lofty on the Annamullay Range, and it may perhaps prove to be a rival even to Dodabetta, as yet considered the highest mountain south of the Himalayas; the strong resemblance it bears to the Peermarl Mullay on the Pulnies is very remarkable. The descent occupied us fifty minutes. On our return, we followed an elephant path for several miles, the gradient of this path was truly wonderful, these sagacious animals avoiding every steep or difficult ascent with the skill of engineers ! We were four hours and twenty-five minutes going, and four hours and twenty minutes returning, exclusive of stoppages. We walked as fast as we could and the nature of the ground would allow, in order to reach the summit of the mountain while clear of clouds, and to avoid being be- nighted on our return. I think, therefore, the distance between the camp at Kartu Mullay and the great mountain cannot be less than fourteen or fifteen miles. On our return from Kartu Mullay to Michael's valley, we found a more direct route leaving Coomarikul Mullay to the east. We again struck on an elephant's path, which, like those previously fell in with, avoided every steep ascent, ex- cept at one hill which was cleverly zigzagged, owing to masses of sheet rock preventing a regular incline being taken. " The Pooliars declared they had never been on the mountain before, and did not know its name ; but they told a gentleman who visited the range subsequently, that it was called the Arnee Moody (elephant's forehead), and as such I find it is entered in the original unreduced map of the Great Trigonometrical Survey. " The finest apparent site for a settlement is the great plateau XXX. of the Arnee Moody ; but one important question to be solved is the amount of rain-fall during the monsoons ; this has not yet been ascer- tained, though from the appearance of the sholas.the moss and lichens on the trees, &c, I am of opinion it is not much greater than that on the Pulnies and considerably less than the fall to the westward of Ootacamund. The area of this range is of such limited extent that there can hardly be any great difference in the amount of rain at one spot or another, and there is reason to suppose the whole hills would be quite habitable throughout the year. It is to be regretted that I failed to reach this part of the hills on my first attempt, for had I then succeeded, I could have remained some days in the vicinity and thoroughly explored the country, but the second excursion was so late in the season that I was obliged to hasten back to my head quarters and prepare to leave the hills before the heavy rains set in ; had the Tooracadavoo river become flooded and impassable, there was no possibility of obtaining supplies from the low country. "With the superior advantages of the Nielgherries and Pulnies, it will probably be many years before any extensive settlement is formed on the Annamullays, unless the country is opened up by roads, then the thousands of acres of land suitable for chinchona, tea, and coffee, would soon attract planters to these lovely hills. "The only approaches to the hills that I am aware of, are — ist, from Kotoor on the north, up the valley of the Tooracadavoo to Michael's valley; 2nd, from Dhullee or the north-east over the Appia Mullay ridge ; and 3rd to ascend the hills from the south-eastern side, vid the valley of Ungeenaad on to the Coomarikul plateau or the plateau beyond Kartu Mullay. I believe a road could be made for wheeled carriages up either the Tooracadavoo or the Ungeenaad valleys without any very considerable difficulties ; but I question if it would be advisable to construct anything more than a bridle-path over the Appia Mullay. The advantage of this latter route is the being able to secure a safe halting place half-way up on the Appia Mullay ridge ; whereas both the other roads pass through more than twenty miles of dangerously feverish country before safe halting ground can be reached. XXXI. " The Highlands are entirely uninhabited ; but there are two tribes inhabiting the lower spurs of the range called Pooliars and Moodoowars. I only met with the former ; both tribes cultivate to a small extent, felling, however, large tracks of valuable forest to raise their wretched crops of ragee and bullar (dholl). I particularly noticed the great extent of forest cleared for Coomri cultivation since 1858. "The Pooliars are a wild looking race, somewhat resembling the Karders and Mulcers who inhabit the slopes more to the north and westward ; but the most marked peculiarity about them, as stated in Major Michael's report, is their hair, which they allow to grow to an enormous length, tying it up in a huge knot at the back of their heads ; others again, appear to take no pride whatever in their hair, allowing it to stand out in dishevelled locks, giving them a most wild and uncouth look, like the drawings I have seen of the savages of Australia. Some of the young men wear their hair in large bunches at the sides, bound round "the forehead with a small brass chain, these appeared to be the dandies of the tribe ; in many instances the hair when let down came considerably below the hips, but I did not see the man with his hair trailing on the ground described by Major Michael, he was away at a distant village. The dress of both the men and women is similar to that of the inhabitants of the plains, when they can afford it; though in general the dress of the former consisted of nothing more than a ragged waist cloth. I observed one or two men wearing turbands, and was told that they were well to do, and could afford them. " The Pooliars have a few goats and fowls ; their villages consist of scattered bamboo huts thatched with grass ; those in the village of Poondy were well made, some of the houses having 'pandals' in front of them, and looked more comfortable than many of the native huts in the plains ; besides the villages named above, they have several temporary hamlets. On my way up to the high ranges I passed two of these that had been burnt down by the recent annual fires, they being deserted by the occupants during the hot season. The owner of one of the hamlets was with me carrying a XXX11. load, and this was the first intimation he had of the catastrophe ; his store of ragee had been stowed away in chatties, and placed in one of the huts ; he did not appear to care about the destruction of the huts, as they could be easily re-built; his great anxiety was to ascertain the damage done to his store of grain, and his consternation was great when he found the larger portion of it baked into a cindery cake. The Pooliars appear not to be at all particular as to what they eat ; flesh of all kinds of animals is greedily devoured, and rats are a very favourite dish amongst them ; they have a most ingenious rat-trap made of a bamboo stuck upright and bent with a string like a bow with a clever arrangement of noose and catch near the ground, and placed in front of the rat hole. They also catch jungle fowl and other birds with this spring. From their propensity to falsehood it was difficult to obtain anything reliable regarding their customs. They informed me that no man is allowed more than one wife, and can only re-marry twice ; the marriage ceremony consists principally of feasting and drinking, the bride's father having to bear the principal expenses ; they declared that no cases of intoxication ever occurred during these ceremonies ; that a drunken man on such an occasion would be most severely beaten by the tribe ; the probability being that there is not a single sober individual in the whole company as long as the drink lasts ! They bury their dead, and on the third day the mourners break chatties of milk and water over the grave, after which they never revisit it. I could obtain very little information with regard to their religion; they said they performed 'pooja' to a god called Pooliar, bringing cocoanuts, honey, and flowers, and pouring milk on the idol ; giving some of the honey to the Priest and keeping some tliemselves ! " I did not meet with the Moodoowars during my sojourn on the hills ; they appeared to avoid me; for on the first occasion of my proceeding to Coomarikul Mullay, I found a freshly deserted en- campment, which, from its appearance, they had only occupied for a short time, though by the preparations they had made it was evidently intended for a more permanent camp. According to the Pooliars' information, there are not more than fifty Moodoowars on xxxm. the hills, probably only one clan visits the eastern portion of the high ranges frequented by the Pooliars. They appear to be a wandering race, cultivating small patches of ground ; they possess herds of cattle and buffaloes, with which they till the soil ; and when the grass is fresh and green after the annual fires they drive them on to the higher ranges to graze. They have no fixed habitations, or villages ; but wander over the mountains with their cattle, erecting temporary huts, and seldom remaining more than a year at one place. They eat sambur, ibex, pig, &c, but will not touch the bison, which latter the Pooliars do not object to eat ; they are a timid race, and avoid strangers ; they make ' pooja ' to the Pooliar idols. " The high ranges abound in ibex ; every rocky crag and mountain has its herd, but they are exceedingly wild ; both the Pooliars and Moodoovars possess guns, and they have periodical hunts after the ibex, which accounts for their being so shy ; their mode of operation is as follows : — before the hunt takes place they erect barriers of stout bushes at various spots along the passes frequented by the ibex. At every ten or twelve feet along the barrier there is a weak spot composed of light twigs with a running nooze of rattan surrounding it, the other end of the rattan being firmly secured to a post fixed in the ground ; having made these preparations, they proceed to drive the ibex towards the barriers shooting any they can get a chance at on the way. The ibex on being driven up to the barrier rush at the weak portions of it and are caught in the noozes, from which, owing to their curved horns, they cannot possibly extricate themselves, and are quickly despatched by their pursuers. The Pooliars endeavoured to persuade me that very few ibex were captured in this way, and that it was only the Moodoowars that hunted them ; but from the numerous barriers I saw, it is, I imagine, a very successful method of catching them. I was surprised to find so few sambur on the range, though it was the season of the fresh green grass, hardly a deer was to be seen. The only way I can account for it is, that the open hills being divided into blocks separated by deep precipitious and almost inaccessible ravines down which there are but few passes, the deer can be easily hemmed C XXXIV, in, and doubtless the hill men have, in their periodical hunts, taken advantage of this and captured, or so disturbed the sambur as to cause them to desert these high lands. Bison come up at times in considerable numbers ; but while I was on the hills, only a few were seen ; elephants cross over from one great forest to another ; but they generally travel during the night, and are therefore seldom seen. The other animals and birds found on this range are similar to those met with on the Nielgherries and Pulnies. " It is worthy of note, that neither on the Annamullays or Pulnies is the edible wild strawberry to be found, though so common on the Nielgherries. Captain Beddome mentions that the rose is also absent on the Annamullays. I omitted to notice this ; but I have met with it frequently on the Pulnies. The shola trees on both these ranges arc of much larger growth than those on the Niel- gherries ; but whether owing to superior soil or climate, or both combined, I am unable to say. In a shola on the eastern plateau I met with a very large tree, the stem measuring twenty-one feet in cir- cumference, five feet from the ground. " At the time of my visit, the Natives on the plains had the greatest dread of the Annamullays, declaring that any one going to the high ranges was certain to contract the very worst kind of jungle fever. The teak forests to the westward have always had a very bad name for fever, and not without cause ; but I have been told that on the estates now opening out, and referred to in this report, there has been very little fever. Should this prove to be the case, I imagine coolies in time will proceed as willingly to work in the Annamullays as they now do in Wynaad." In March 1866 he went to the Bababooden Hills for the purpose of making drawings. "These hills," he reported, "are from 4,000 to 6,ooo feet in height. (The highest peak, viz., Coller Nulley above the bungalow being 6,000 feet above the level of the sea.) They are in the shape of a horse-shoe, the two ends being nearly due west, and measuring round the curve, are between twenty-five to thirty miles in length. In the centre of the horse-shoe is the Janga Valley which, with the exception of a few patches of cultivation is dense jungle and THE UPPER FALLS, NEAR MUDD1KULL, BASABOODE.V HILLS. XXXV11. said to be very unhealthy. The breadth of the horse-shoe at the curve taking it straight across is about three to four miles, and diagonally it is about fifteen miles. The hills slope away towards both ends of the shoe. Santawaree on the slopes of the Poligar Hill Fort of Camron Droog is 4,000 feet above the sea. A ghaut up which carts can travel leads from there to Collerhulty between three and four miles distant. There is also an old ghaut that zigzags up the steepest part of the slopes passing below the peak of Coller Nulley. The rhododendron does not grow here, nor the wild strawberry, but the raspberry and the Nielgherry broad leaved blackberry are abundant, and branches of the trees are loaded with moss, lichens, and orchids. It is said that frost never appears there. There are no jackals on these hills. I noticed the Blackbird (Mem/a simillina), the Yellow-billed Babbler {Malacocirais malabaricus), the Bulbul (Hypsipetes nielglierriensis), the Cinnamon or Bronze-backed Pigeon {Carpopliaga enprea), the Painted Bush Quail (Perdiaita erytliroryncha), and other hill birds common to the Nielgherries and other mountain ranges. Black Eagles {Neopus malaiensis), Crows and Kites were plentiful, but I saw no Sparrows. There are no black monkeys, but the Grey Langur (Presbytis priawus) is very numerous." "On the 16th of May, whilst exploring on the hills above Muddi- kal, I discovered a very fine waterfall. The upper falls are about 300 yards above the lower, but both were visible from where I was stand- ing. In the upper falls, the water comes rushing over a precipitous rock in great volumes and falls without a break for 240 feet, then rushes through a mass of huge rocks, forming fine rapids to the lower fall, where it precipitates itself 180 feet into the valley below. I had a hot struggle over the slippery grass, and through the jungle to the upper falls, and on my way came on the body of a sambur killed by a tiger — nothing could exceed the beauty of the scene from the upper falls. "On the 20th I left these hills without much regret, the utter failure of the rains prevented me from getting any sport, and my health was very indifferent during the whole of my sojourn. On the 25th I arrived at Belloor, remaining a day at the Bungalow so XXXV111. as to visit the Temple, the carving on the walls of which is perfectly wonderful and most beautfully executed ; some of the dancing girls and other figures are perfect gems, and the scrolls of exquisite pattern. The brickwork door topped with metal plates, is different to any I have seen in Southern India, the carvings reminded me of those in Java ; the Temple of Haliabede, which we visited the next, day, is still more elaborate and even more beautiful. There are two gigantic bulls at the entrance." In August, J 870, his health being very indifferent, he obtained three months' leave and went to Australia. He visited St. George's Sound, Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide, and returned to Madras in November much recruited in health. He finally left India after thirty- five years' service, on the 20th June, 1 871, and arrived at Southampton on the 29th July following. The "Oriental Sporting Magazine," in noticing his departure, has the following passage: — " The great Sportsman and Shikarie who has recently left these " hills for England on account of failing health, is Colonel Douglas " Hamilton, than whom a truer friend, a more kindly gentleman, a " keener observer of nature, and a more enthusiastic sportsman it has " never been our good fortune to know. The regret at his departure " is universal. We may truly state that he has legitimately shot more " game on these hills than any other sportsman, and a sight of the " trophies that adorn the walls of his house, of the sketches and ' incidents of the chase, and the relation thereof was a rich treat, " and one never again to be experienced." From 1872 to 1887 he annually rented a moor and deer forest in Scotland, for the purpose of following his favourite pursuit of deer stalking, and many a grand stag has fallen to his rifle. The invigorat- ing air of the Highlands restored his health and strength in a remarkable manner, and the way in which, after running at racing pace for some distance to intercept a stag, he would put his rifle to his shoulder, and bring him down when in full career was wonderful. His habit of shooting with a rifle when standing, used to elicit ex- pressions of surprise from those who happened to be out with him. XXXIX. I well remember an old stalker's astonishment when, after getting up to within some 90 yards of his first stag, which was lying down, instead of waiting till it rose, he jumped on the flat surface of a rock, gave a loud whistle, and as the beast bolted away dropped him on his tracks with a shot through the heart. " Well," said the old man, " I never saw the like o' that." He never appeared to suffer from severe exertion and fatigue till the autumn of 1887, when, from constant exposure in bad weather he got a violent chill, and from that date, although at times appearing to get fairly well he never recovered his health, and early in the present year after a sharp attack of influenza, which produced great exhaus- tion, he suddenly passed away on the night of the 20th of January, 1892. Edward Hamilton. Dates of Gen. Douglas Hamilton's commissions (from the Quarterly Indian Army List of 1891) : — Douglas Hamilton, M.I. Ensign 1st January, 1874 (evidently a misprint for 1834 the year he went to Addiscombe). Lieutenant 12th June, 1837, the year he arrived in Madras. Captain 31st January, 1838. Major 2nd March, 1847. Lieut.-Col. 29th June, 1853. Colonel 1st January, 1862. Major-Gen. 1st January, 1867. Lieut.-Gen. 1st October, 1877. General 1st December, 1! CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE Antelope Shooting. Antelopes — Different Species — Their Habits, &c. — Mode of Approaching Antelopes — Spearing Antelopes — Coursing the Fawns — Coursing the Sweet Scented Fox — Taking the Black Buck with the Cheeta — The Mountain Antelope — Is it a Distinct Species — The Indian Bustard- Best Mode of stalking it. ... ... ... ... ... ... i CHAPTER II. Wolves. Wolves— Hunting in Concert — Mode of Attack — Their Perseverance — Seldom Attack Human Beings— Join Greyhounds in Chase — Super- stition as to their Blood— Wild Dogs— Great Poachers— Hunting in Packs — Attacks on the Sambur — Mungoose and Cobra — Mode of attacking the Cobra— Its Rapid Movements Cause of Safety— Protec- tion from Snakes when out Shooting — Pig-sticking — The "Deal-Table" Hunt at Ahmed Nugger — My First Spear — Two Methods of Pig- sticking — A Bold Boar — Superiority of the Arab Horse— A Long Ride — The Happy Valley — Small Game Shooting ... ... ... is CHAPTER III. Sporting Trip to the Dandilly Forest, 1844. Hopes of Sport — A Novice's Inexperience — American and Bear— Difficulty of Keeping the Track— Of Seeing Animals — Hints about Stalking — Old Emam the African — Killing my First Bison — After Tigers — Tiger Carrying off the Officer — The Lucky Griffin— Our First Kill— No Result — An Unexpected Meeting — Watson and the Tiger— Chased by Hill Ponies ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 39 xlii. Contents. CHAPTER IV. Singapore — Java — Labuan. l'AGE Singapore — Poorness of Sport — Shoot the Only Stag — Chinese and Tigers — After Rhinoceros — No Success — Curious Mistake — The Argus Pheasant — Paddling my own Canoe — Natives Speaiing the Seer Fish — Obtain Three Months' Leave to visit Java — Taken for a Spy — Kindness of the Governor General — Too much Care taken of Me — Officials' Fear of my being Killed by Tigers and little Sport in Consequence — Great Quantities of Game of all Sorts — Two Kinds of Wild Hog — Excursion to the Eastern Part of the Island — Visit the Volcanoes, Smeroe and Bromo — A Chance of a Tiger — Secure a Peacock's Tail — Miss a Chance at a Leopard — The Bromo, Marvellous View — The Crater and the Sandy Sea— The Tengger Range — The Hill Ponies — Eruption of the Klutt — Temples of Bleeta and Sookoo — City of Soerakata — Audience with the Emperor — Tiger Fight — Temple of Borobodoo — Adventure with a Python— After a Rhinoceros by Moonlight — Native Mode of taking Game — Out after Deer — My Last Stag and the Quagmire — The Axis Deer — Story of a Tiger— Labuan — At First Sight not Cheerful — The Pirate and his Seven Hundred Men — Narrow Escape of the Barracks from Fire — Density of the Forest — Difficulty of Finding One's Way — Anecdote of the Sea Captain — The Big Boar of Labuan — Curious Bees' Nests ... ... ... ... ... 52 CHAPTER V. Bears. Their Size — Savage Disposition — Mode of Getting their Favourite Food — The Bear in his Summer House — My First Bear — Who the Deuce are You? — Danger of Approaching a Wounded Bear — Three Bears Marked Down — We take off our Boots — I miss Stopping Him — He is upon Me at Once — A Sharp Pinch — A Funny Adventure with an old She Bear — I didn't do it, Ma — The old Dog Bear and his Wife — Habits of Wounded Bears ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 97 CHAPTER VI. Ibex Shooting on the Nielgherries, Annamullies and Pulnies. Excursion to the Seven Pagodas — Sporting Trip to Davaroy-Droog — Miserable Sport — Attacked by Fever — Medical Board — Sent to the Hills — Arrival at Ooty — First Impressions — First Introduction to Ibex — The Old Saddle Backs — Exciting Stalks — Magnificent Scenery — Habits of the Ibex — Its Enemies — Charms and Attractions of the Pursuit of Ibex — My First Ibex — Tiger (the Dog) and the Wounded Ibex — Mallock's Bungalow — Michael's Luck — A Close Shave — I go Home " Koosh"— The Old Buck of Kudakarnal— The Grand Old Saddle Back — The Three Legged Buck I did not get ... ... ... ill Contents. xliii. CHAPTER VII. Elephants. PAGE The Indian Elephant — In Captivity — Their Intelligence and Sagacity — Their Sunday's Puddings — Constitution Changes by Domestication — Elephants in their Wild State — Their Power of Scent — Wonderful Examples of Engineering — Their Size— Caution when Stalking them — My First Tusker— The Tusker without a Tail — An Amusing Incident — Elephant and Bison — Coming on a Herd and the Result — Capture of a Youngster — The Tables Turned — Heels over Head— A Strange Shot — Last Trip after Elephants — The Great Tusker of Hassanoor — His Death — My Last Elephant — Brooke stops the Charge ... ... ... ... 136 CHAPTER VIII. Tigers, Leopards, &c. Tigers — Difficulty of Seeing Them — Amalgamation of Colour with Surround- ing Objects — Tiger with Jackal — Tigers and Wild Dogs — Their Fear of Dogs — Power of Tiger's Jaws and Limbs — Their Noiseless Movements — _ Man Eaters — Tiger's Dread of Man — The Mode of Striking its Prey — Rapidity of Stroke — Shooting Tigers on Foot — Dangers of the Sport — Sir James Outram — His Wonderful Escape — Tigers and Sambur — Tigers and Putrid Flesh — Power of Scent — Sir Samuel Baker's Opinion — H.R.H. Discovers his Mistake — The Cheeky Rascal — Size of Tigers — My First Tiger — Exciting Chase after a Tiger — The Vultures will Bring Him Out — Rather a Surprise — Exciting Rencontre with Three Tigers — Tiger and Wild Boar — A Fierce Fight — Tiger Stared out of Countenance — Look Out! He's Coming — What I saw on Jan. 31, 1868 — Tiger and Hinds — My Last Tiger — Tiger Stories — Shooting Tigers from an Elephant — Colonel Geoffrey Nightingale's Letter — The Leopard — The Black Leopard — His Death — The Jungle Cat — Loss of my dog Snob — The Hares are Witches — Clarke's Theory — Leopards on the Trees — My Last Leopard ... ... ... ... ... ... 165 CHAPTER IX. The Bison of Southern India — Size of the Old Bulls-Danger in Stalking Them — Col. Campbell's Misnomer — Large Horns — My First Bison — Adventure with old Emam — Wound and Lose an Enormous Bull — More Lucky with the Next — A Grand Fight with Another — Capture a Small Calf and take him Home — No More Bullets — My Last Resource — Very much Astonished on Both Sides — A Tall Shot at a Bull at Speed — Not the Pleasantest Moment of my Life — A Narrow Escape — A Big Bull stops the Way — My Last Bison — The Big Bull of Peer-mund ... 236 xliv. Contents. CHAPTER X. The Sam bur and other Deer. p Stalking the Sambur — Its Enemies — Its Habits — Alarm Note — Size — Tenacity of Life — Horns — 'I heir Variability — Death of the Big Antler Stag— The Pulney Stag— Tcm Sayers — The Crow Stag — The Stag of Kerenaig Mund — His Last Leap — Checkmated — Death of the Black Cheeta Rock Stag — Snob and the Stag— An Exciting Stalk and a Sad Finish— Death of the Brow Antlercd Stag— My Last Stag — The Axis or Spotted Deer— The Jungle Sheep LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Portrait of Captain Douglas Hamilton . . . Frontispiece PAGE Water Fall near the Village of Killf.vor . . to face viii The Pillar Rocks, Pulney Mountains . . . to face xiii View in the Valley of Perumbookarnal, Pulney Mountains to face xiv Lake of Yercaud, Shervaroy Hills .... to face xviii The Upper Falls, near Muddikull, Bababoopen Hills . to face xxxvii CHAPTER I. Stalking Antelope with Pony Spearing the Antelope The Silver Grey Fox (Cam's bengalensis) " Oh, Great King, Don't be Angry " Cheeta Stalking Antelope The Kill The Mountain Antelope to face to face i 4 7 9 io 1 1 14 CHAPTEK II. Wolves Watching Antelope Wild Dogs (Cuon rutilans) . Mungoose and Cobra Rather a Stopper .... A Brave Boar .... The Lesser Florikin (Syphcolides auritus) The Bengal Florikin (Spyheo/ides bcngaleiuis) . to face iS 25 28 3i 33 36 . to face 36 xlvi. List of Illustrations. CHAPTER III. The Bungalow, Dandilly Forest "I Just saw His Head and Horns" "Emam Took up the Track" An Unexpected Meeting to face 39 44 47 5° CHAPTER IV. The Wart Hog of Java (Sus verrucosus) . The Smero from Paparawang Birdseye View of the Crater of the Bromo Outline of the Smeroe and the Bromo Lake of Ranio Clakka Principal Figure in the Temple of Sookoo Stone Slabs in the Temple of Sookoo, shewing the Manufacture of the Kriss .... After Deer, Bandoeng Curious Haiut of the Rusa Deer in Java The Big Boar of Labuan (Sus barbatus) Nests of a Diminutive Bee found at Labuan • 59 . to face 62 . to face 68 . to face 68 . to face 72 77 ACTURE 78 . to face 84 89 95 96 CHAPTER V. He tried hard to get at us through the Bamboos "He was upon me at once" . . . . "I didn't do it, Ma!" . . . . . I could Hear the Bones Breaking to face 99 to face 105 107 no CHAPTER VI. The Ibex (The Nielgherry Wild Goat), Mai The Ibex Hills, Annamullies My First Ibex The Hut, Pykara The Old Saddle-back I take off my Shoes A Close Shave The Ibex Stalker e and Female to face in 116 120 122 124 127 129 '35 List of Illustrations. xlvii. CHAPTER VII. I The Knowing Old Engineer Diagram for Elephant Shots I try to drive him Home . Charging a Bull Bison The Tables Turned We held on like "Grim Death" Help ! Help ! ! . We Secure him at last Heels over Head The First Shot at the Great Tusker The Death of the Great Tusker of Hassanoor " BAFFLED " {for description see Chapter VIII ) PAGE. 142 145 149 151 154 '54 155 155 •57 159 160 164 CHAPTER VIII. Tigers and Sambur . The Cheeky Rascal . A Most Magnificent Bound The Vultures Bring Him Out Rather a Surprise . The Mid-Day Siesta I staring at him, and He Glaring and Growling He stopped to look at me What I saw one Morning . He stood to Listen . Face to Face .... I could have Slapped its Face The Jungle Cat {Felis chaus) It will Sit and Watch on a Crag The Black Leopard The Black Leopard— His Death The Leopard's Ride Leopard on Bough . My Last Leopard to face to face 173 185 188 189 191 192 197 200 203 205 209 220 223 224 225 226 228 232 235 CHAPTER IX. Head of a Bull Bison Skull and Horns of Bison 236 238 xlviii. List of Illustrations. I PLUNGED MY HUNTING KNIFE INTO HIS SlDE A Big Bull Bison staring at me A Tall Shot ..... Not the pleasantest Moment of my Life A dead Bull ..... 243 245 246 248 250 CHAPTER X. The Sam bur ..... Head and Horns of the rig Antler Stag The Unheeded Warning His Last Leap Puzzled Snob and the Stag " Now Bounding into the Air " The Deer Stalker . The Axis or Spotted Deer The Jungle Sheep to face to face 252 258 262 265 268 269 271 278 276 280 STALKING ANTELOPE WITH PONY. CHAPTER I. ANTELOPE SHOOTING. ANTELOPES— DIFFERENT SPECIES— THEIR HABITS, ETC. — MODE OF APPROACHING ANTELOPES— SPEARING ANTELOPES— COURSING THE FAWNS— COURSING THE SWEET SCENTED FOX— TAKING THE BLACK BUCK WITH THE CHEETA — THE MOUNTAIN ANTELOPE — IS IT A DISTINCT SPECIES — THE INDIAN BUSTARD— BEST MODE OF STALKING THEM. v earliest introduction to big game shooting was at Kulladghee in the Bombay Presidency in 1839-40; my regiment, the 21st M.N. I., having been sent there to take the place of one which had gone to the front in the first Afghan Campaign. In those days antelopes were very numerous, but very wild and difficult to approach. There were two species — (1) the antelope of the plains, (Antilope cervicapra = bezoartica), the male of which is known to sportsmen as the black buck, very grace- ful in its movements as it bounds over the open ground, and whose handsome head and horns are much prized as trophies. 2 ANTELOPE SHOOTING. The colour of the males (black buck) is a rich dark glossy brown (almost black in the old ones) above, the lower parts, abdomen, and inner parts of the legs, white — head, nape and back of the head a rufous yellow, nose and lips white and a large white ring round the eyes. The females are a pale yellowish fawn colour above, with a pale lateral streak from shoulders to haunch, and white beneath. The height at the shoulder of the male is about thirty- two inches ; length about four feet, not including the tail which is about seven inches. The horns vary considerably, from twenty to twenty-seven inches. In some very rare instances females have been found with horns, but as a rule they are hornless. The second species is the Ravine antelope, Indian gazelle, or Chikara (Gazella bennetti), frequenting, as its name implies, the ravines and rocky hills. It is a little larger than the Egyptian gazelle, of a light chestnut colour, with the chin neck and breast white, both male and female have horns ; the latter very much smaller than the male and not ringed. I used to enjoy prowling after them at early dawn ; the ground was stony and noisy in many places so that it was difficult to get near the wary little beauties without the most careful stalking. This antelope is said never to drink. When I first commenced rifle shooting I was much too eager, and used to fire very long shots, often at from five to six hundred yards, and as might be expected, generally missed ; and in consequence I had to stand a considerable amount of chaff. I remember one day, being out with two of my brother officers, I took a very long shot, far too long, at a black buck. I distinctly heard the flop of the ball ANTELOPE SHOOTING. 3 striking him, but they laughed at me and joked me about broken legs, hitting a stone, and other such chaff; and as the antelope "chulled" so well, I fully concluded that I had made a miss. I managed to get within shot of him again ; but I had my doubts as to the result as I thought I saw the ball strike the ground ; however, he soon laid down, and then I knew he must have got it rather hot. When within a hundred yards or so he got up, and I then saw some blood on one of his forelegs. I had with me two capital dogs, Noble and Judy, crosses between the arab and the english grey- hound with just enough of the poligar blood to give them courage, so I slipped them and away they went. The pace soon began to tell on the buck, and Noble seized him by the haunch, the antelope managed to throw him off, but the dog again got up to him and laid hold of his neck and pulled him over. I found that I had struck him with both my shots, the second one having gone through his lungs. I was at least two hundred and fifty yards away when I fired the first shot. The run with the dogs, before they pulled the buck down, was fully three quarters of a mile, so this time I came home koosh. I went on persevering, taking more pains and not firing till within a proper distance, and soon became a better and steadier shot, and the good-humoured chaff ceased. As I have previously stated, these animals were at times so wild that it was often almost impossible to get within rifle shot. I soon found that the best mode of proceeding was by stalking them from behind my pony, making the syce move slowly on ; even then it was no easy work and often required a long trudge, sometimes of many miles, before I could get within shot ; I always made my syce or horse-keeper carry a hog-spear, and when I was lucky enough to cripple a black 4 SPEARING ANTELOPE. buck, I jumped on my horse and taking the spear endeavoured to ride him down, and many an exciting chase I have had after a wounded buck, which appeared to go just as fast on three legs as on four, sometimes taking me over at least seven miles before I could plant the spear into him and bowl him over. I was one day following a herd with only one black buck in it ; I took a running shot as he crossed me at a trot about a hundred yards off ; the wind was blowing hard, I heard no " tell," and as the buck dashed on at speed I thought I had missed ; however, I took a look at him with the telescope and saw on his flank a peculiar dark mark, and after getting closer and having another look, I could see that the dark mark was blood. I at once mounted and gave chase ; for some distance he bounded along as if nothing had happened, but when he found me pressing him he left the herd and made for every bit of jungle he could find, gaining on me considerably ; however I stuck to him like a leech. He was once or twice joined by other antelopes, but I knew my victim by the blood on his flank ; once he laid down and when I got up to him I could not spear him on account of the bushes, and on he went again, taking me right back to the village. I ran him up the slope of a well where the bullocks work, and he had no help for it but to jump down the well or over the side of the slope ; he did the latter, and I gave him his quietus with the spear in his neck, after a run of between three and four miles. I used to have capital sport coursing the half grown fawns of this antelope ; they would go very strong for a mile or two, but when overtaken were easily pulled down. But the best coursing I had was with the pretty little silver grey sweet-scented fox (Cams bengalensis). I call it » •• * • > » * > 1 11 ■s '< THE SILVER GREY FOX. 7 sweet-scented because it has none of the peculiar strong odour of other foxes, and is therefore never hunted ; rare sport it gives, twisting, turning and doubling when at full speed, often baffling the best dogs and often suddenly dis- appearing into a fissure in the rock, or a burrow. In these rapid doublings it is evidently assisted by its brush, which is flourished about in a very remarkable manner. C A If IS BENGALENSIS. • ' ,7.'A" U \Y ■■-■' I very rarely allowed my dogs to course jackals, for not only do they not give much sport, but the bite of this animal is very severe, and some dogs will not hold one after being once or twice severely mauled. When we were quartered at Kulladghee, the officers bought a fine cheeta, or hunting leopard (Cyncelurus jubatus). I was strongly opposed to the purchase, on account of its 8 TAKING ANTELOPE WITH CHEETA. spoiling the antelope shooting, as although a cheeta hunt is most exciting to see for the first time, it becomes very monotonous, the runs being so much alike that after a month or two no one would care to see them ; but the brute had to be sent out to get his food, and as he invariably killed the finest buck in the herd, you may fancy how he spoilt sport, besides making the antelopes so wild that it was hardly possible to get near them. He was advertised for sale for a long time, but as no one would purchase him he was eventually given away, having killed on an average about two antelopes a-week for nearly three years ! Hunting with this animal has been so often described that I need not say very much about it. The cheeta is taken out on a native cart drawn by a pair of bullocks ; he has a coil of rope round his loins, to which another with a slip noose is attached ; this ties him to the cart when not in sight of game, but when he is going to be slipped it is held by the keeper and a leather hood which covers his eyes is slipped on to the back of his neck ; by careful manoeuvring the cart is brought within ninety or a hundred yards of the antelope ; the cheeta then becomes very excited, and on the hood being pushed from his eyes the keeper turns his head towards the herd. The moment he sees them he quietly slips off on the opposite side of the cart, and creeps rapidly along with his chest nearly touching the ground ; he thus gains ten or twenty yards before the antelope catch sight of him, when at once they are off and away. In an instant he is up, and having fixed on the finest buck in the herd, he rushes at him in a series of the most astounding bounds, so swift that the antelope, although one of the fastest of animals, appears to be waiting for him ; in vain the poor frightened buck tries to keep with TAKING ANTELOPE WITH CHEETA. 9 the herd, he is obliged to circle away from it and is gene- rally brought round in a horseshoe course of about two or three hundred yards, and killed or lost not far from the cart. The cheeta appears to throw the whole of his energy and strength into the last few bounds, and if he does not succeed in striking his prey, although he may have missed by less than an inch, he will not go a step further, but sulkily retires to the nearest bush looking the picture of feline disappoint- i~i.: - " -a* 1. ' ■»•*). j.i =?5ty?** 'OH, GREAT KING, DON'T BE ANGRY.' ment. The keeper hastens up and crouching, salaams to him saying, " Oh, Great King, don't be angry, you will kill the next," all the time he is working round the fierce brute, who does nothing but spit and growl at him ; suddenly he whips the hood over the beast's eyes and it becomes as helpless as a lamb ; then seizing him by the rope round his loins he is igno- miniously bundled on to the cart amidst a string of abuse IO CHEETA STALKING ANTELOPE. quite unfit for ears polite, If the cheeta succeeds in his last spring, he appears to strike the antelope somewhere about the hocks, knocking him down, and in an instant he has him by the throat, and flinging one paw over one of the horns, holds him till the keeper comes up and cuts the antelope's throat, catching the blood in a cup, this is given to the cheeta, who greedily laps it up, and is then hooded and put on the cart, ready for another chase. I noticed that the cheeta never penetrated the throat of the antelope with his teeth, though the victim lay so still that it appeared to be dead. I suppose it was perfectly paralysed with fear. I do not know whether this is always the case. The keeper told me this one never bit its prey ; he also said that no hunting leopard was any good for the chase unless he had killed antelope when in a wild state. CHEETA STALKING ANTELOPE. There is another mode of hunting with this animal namely : showing him the antelope a long way off and letting him stalk them ; it is most interesting to see how well he does it, taking advantage of the grass or a bit of uneven ground, and in this way working up close to the herd ; but it is often very tedious watching him, as he will lie perdu for a long s THE MOUNTAIN ANTELOPE 1 3 time, if he cannot advance without being seen, and generally, from his being so close, if he does get in on the herd the run is too short to be of much interest. I have killed many an antelope since those early days in other parts of Southern India, and I was fortunate enough when shooting on the Pulneys, to come across and shoot three does of a rather rare antelope known as the mountain antelope ; and again on the 26th of November, 1863, I shot a buck of the same species near Pykara on the Neilgherries. I was out after sambur and Francis (my shikarie), proposed that I should go and post myself near Neilds shola, while the men beat along the slopes ; so away I went carrying the Lang rifle in the Highland sling, the Breechloader on my arm, and the Ross in my hand ; as I came above the little round shola under the rocks I saw what I took to be a jungle sheep (Cervulus muntjac) standing looking at me amongst the rocks on the opposite slope about 140 yards off. I hesitated whether I would try the Breechloader, but I trusted to the Ross ; there was a loud tell, but a lot of dust flew up, and when I got to the place, I found the bullet flattened against a rock, and it did not look as if it had gone through the animal. I took up the track and immediately found a few specks of blood which increased as I went on, and about a hundred yards further on I found the animal lying dead, it having rolled part of the way down the hill side. What was my astonishment and pleasure on finding that I had shot a buck mountain antelope. It resembles very much the does I had previously killed only the lower jaw is whiter ; the lach- rymal sinus was much swollen and full of white gluey matter ; the horns were set at slightly different angles and their points as sharp as needles. 14 THE MOUNTAIN ANTELOPE. There has been much difference of opinion amongst Indian naturalists and sportsmen as to this animal, whether it is merely a variety of the four- horned antelope, ( Tetraceros quadricornis) or whether it is a distinct species. Jerdon at one time considered it distinct from the northern animal, as all the specimens he procured from the Eastern Ghauts had only a vestige of anterior horns and were very pale coloured ; but in deference to Mr. Blyth's matured opinion, he has followed THE MOUNTAIN ANTELOPE. him and united the two into one species. McMaster in his notes on Jerdon's book, considers the mountain antelope of Madras sportsmen to be a distinct species and calls it Elliot's antelope. Hawkeye states that : " the mountain antelope is but little known, and perhaps has not been heard of by many, as one of the game animals frequenting the mountain ranges of Southern India," and says "that on the Pulneys this antelope THE MOUNTAIN ANTELOPE. 1 5 is not so scarce as it is on the Neilgherries. On those mountains which are so open and undulating, like the downs in England, with little or no woods or sholahs scattered here and there as on the Neilgherries, the mountain antelope is on ground suitable to its habits, but being swift of foot and keenly alive to danger, not easily perceived when lying in the grassy hollows, and fleeing away at the least alarm, it requires much patience and woodcraft on the part of the stalker to ensure success. This animal has all the appearance of a doe antelope of the plains in colour, size, and general features, but the colour is more sandy or very light rufous, and the hair longer and coarser than the antelope of the plains, the throat white and the same colour extending along the under parts. The fetlocks are furnished with tufts of hair, and have a bar of white across the front similar to that of the Nilgai, the ears are much broader than the common antelope, and have tufts of longish hair in the orifice. The horns are smooth, tapering, and exceedingly sharp at the points, about four inches in length and slightly curved forward, only found on the males ; the tail between six and seven inches long. The size of the animal about the same as Gazella bennetti." McMaster says: "having obtained the head of one of these antelopes killed at Hassanoor in Southern Mysore, I applied to the best authority I could think of, viz., Colonel Douglas Hamilton, who had I knew a specimen of the mountain antelope, which he had killed at Pykara on the Neilgherries, and who is probably the most accomplished sportsman in the Madras Presidency. I forwarded at the same time to Colonel D. Hamilton the head. His reply is as follows, the latter part refers to the horns of both his specimen and mine, sloping from the skull at different angles 1 6 THE MOUNTAIN ANTELOPE. to each other. " I think from the description this must be Elliot's antelope, it is evidently the same animal as mine. The only doubt is that in my specimen there is not a sign of 'spurious horns,' though it has the 'osseous bumps' which are so conspicuous in yours, but certainly are not to be ' easily detached ' as stated in Elliot's description. In all other respects the measurements and description correspond exactly; though it is strange Elliot did not notice the peculiar white lower jaw which is so marked in my specimen : this and the entire absence of spurious horns may fix it as a different species. Here are my measurements, taken when the animal was fresh killed. You will see how close they are to Elliot's. Height at shoulder 25 inches Ditto at rump 27 inches Length of leg 1 foot, 5 inches Chest to rump 2 feet 2 inches Neck 6| inches Tail 9| inches Horns 3I inches I see your horns are at slightly different angles but not so marked as mine. They are J of an inch longer." In respect to this supposed species, Mr. W. T. Blandford, F.R.S., ("Fauna of British India," p. 520,) under Tetraceros quadricornis Varieties, says : " In the Madras Presidency the anterior horns are said to be rarely developed, and cer- tainly fully adult animals occur without any, and with only small projections on the skull, but I can see no other difference ; the skulls, whether the anterior horns are devel- oped or not, are precisely similar in form and scarcely differ in size. In the case of a male that I obtained young in Nimar and that was kept alive by a friend in Bombay, the THE INDIAN BUSTARD. IJ anterior horns did not appear till the third year, although the posterior horns were well developed early in the second. Doubtless many of the two-horned individuals seen are young. Blyth came to the conclusion that the two-horned form is merely a variety, and after reading all that has been written by McMaster and Sterndale on the subject, I agree with him." The Indian bustard 1 (Enpodotis edwardsii) was occa- sionally met with on the plains and afforded good sport for the rifle ; I used to stalk them in the same way as I did the antelope, with this difference, that they generally stood and allowed me to circle round them, gradually decreasing the circumference until I got within shot ; their power of conceal- ing themselves behind a small bush or tuft of grass was wonderful. They differ considerably both in colour and appearance from the European bustard, and are from four to five feet in length ; generally weigh about twenty-six to twenty-eight pounds, get on the wing very easily, and fly very long distances. Jerdon states that one sportsman has killed over a thousand of these birds with the rifle. The females and poults are fair eating. 1 See plate " Spearing Antelope," page 5. CHAPTER II. WOLVES— HUNTING IN CONCERT— MODE OF ATTACK— THEIR PERSEVERANCE— SELDOM ATTACK HUMAN BEINGS— JOIN GREYHOUNDS IN CHASE— SUPER- STITION AS TO THEIR BLOOD— WILD DOGS— GREAT POACHERS — HUNTING IN PACKS — ATTACKS ON THE SAMBUR — MUNGOOSE AND COBRA — MODE OF ATTACKING THE COBRA— ITS RAPID MOVEMENTS CAUSE OF SAFETY- PROTECTION FROM SNAKES WHEN OUT SHOOTING — PIG-STICKING — THE "DEAL-TABLE" HUNT AT AHMED NUGGER— MY FIRST SPEAR— TWO METHODS OF TIG-STICKING— A B3LD BOAR— SUPERIORITY OF THE ARAB HORSE— A LONG RIDE— THE HAPPY VALLEY — SMALL GAME SHOOTING. WOLVES. often came across wolves when out after antelope, and on other occasions. They are generally seen in small packs of four or five, but at times in greater numbers. It is wonderful how they work in concert ; on one occasion when' returning with a friend from a trip to the Caves of Ellora, we saw a herd of antelope near a range of low rocky hills, and as there was a dry nullah or watercourse giving an easy approach, we decided on stalking them. While creeping up the nullah we noticed two animals coming across the plains on our left ; at first I took them for leopards, but as they came nearer I saw they were wolves, and when they were about five hundred yards from the antelope they quietly laid down. After about ten minutes or so, the smaller of the two got up and trotted off to the rocky hills, and suddenly appeared on , f' /5 8 ' i\V ■ i' • ^ / WOLVES HUNTING IN CONCERT. 2 1 the ridge, running backwards and forwards like a scotch collie dog. The larger wolf, as soon as he saw that the antelope were fully occupied in watching his companion, got up and came as hard as he could gallop to the nullah ; unfor- tunately he caught sight of us and bolted, and his companion seeing something was wrong, did the same. Now it is evident that these two wolves had regularly planned this attack ; one was to occupy the attention of the antelope while the other was to steal up the watercourse and dash into the midst of them. How did they communicate this to each other ? A problem in the history of animal life yet to be solved. At another time a brother officer of mine was stalking a herd of antelope which were feeding down a grassy valley, when suddenly a wolf got up before him, then another and another, until fourteen wolves rose out of the grass. They were extended right across the valley in the shape of a fish- ing net or jelly bag, as he described it, and were lying down wind, so that as soon as the herd had got well into the "jelly bag," they would have rushed on the antelope and some must have fallen victims to their plan of attack. I once came upon a pack of wolves apparently holding a council of war ; after lolling about for some time they all rose up, and separated, to all appearance having arranged their plans for the day. The perseverance of the wolf to attain its end is also very remarkable. One day when out hog hunting I saw a wolf following an antelope with a fawn at its heels ; it did not attempt to approach them, but merely kept them in view. This was early in the forenoon, and as we returned late in the afternoon near the same ground, there was the antelope 2 2 MODE OF ATTACK. and its fawn, and the wolf still following and watching them. The late Mr. B., of the Madras Civil Service, a noted sports- man and a famous shot, told me that on one occasion he was riding through some low jungle when he heard a peculiar thumping noise a little way off the road, and dismounting he stole into the jungle, taking his rifle with him ; on arriving at an open space he saw a sambur hind with a small calf standing in the middle of it looking intently at a big bush, out of which rushed a large wolf and made a dash at the calf; he was instantly knocked head over heels by the hind, and at once retreated into the bush ; again and again he sallied forth only to be knocked over again and again by the brave old hind ; still he persevered until at last B., seeing that the deer was becoming exhausted, shot the brute the next time it came out. Wolves used occasionally to visit our cantonment at night and many a dhobie's (washerman's) donkey, left out to forage for itself in the officer's gardens, fell a victim to these hungry marauders. One night they attacked a charger belonging to our adjutant and injured the poor animal so severely before it was rescued, that it had to be shot. It is said that native children have been carried off by wolves, but as a rule they do not attack human beings. I once came unexpectedly close upon four wolves; they showed their teeth and looked uncommonly vicious, but turned tail before I could get a fair shot at them. That they are extremely cunning as well as sagacious, and up to all kinds of dodges to circumvent their prey, there cannot be a doubt. Hawkeye (my brother, the late Gen. Richard Hamilton, C.B.), in his book on Indian Game, says : — " Travelling along the road to the Bellarungums, I came THEIR PERSEVERANCE. 23 upon some antelope near the roadside. Following them they led me to a fine open piece of ground of two or three miles in extent, on which, and not very far apart, I saw some half dozen bustards, nine or ten wolves, and a very large herd of antelope besides those I had followed. The wolves were, I am sure, up to some dodge, for it was not until I had fired three or four shots at the bustards (missing every one) that I became aware of their presence and they then showed in pairs, at intervals of some distance and were evidently waiting their opportunity at the antelope. I lean to the idea that the wolves hold themselves in relays, each giving the antelope a burst at their utmost speed, and it is well known that the antelope when thus the pressure is kept up gets soon blown." The same author states that a wolf once joined in the chase after an antelope with two of his dogs, and not only pulled it down but half devoured it before he reached the spot. He also states that he once saw two wolves trotting along parallel with a herd of antelope, one of the two carrying a good sized fawn in its mouth. Captain Jackson, of the Nizam's service, told me a rather amusing story about a wolf. He was out after foxes, when he put up a young fawn, at which he at once slipped his dogs ; they ran it for about a mile and a-half, when suddenly up got a wolf just in front of the dogs and joined in the chase after the antelope, and being quite fresh soon rolled it over, and the next moment there were the dogs, wolf and antelope, all of a heap, fighting and struggling. Jackson jumped off his horse, whipped off the dogs and the wolf, and secured the fawn, which appeared not to be in the least hurt. The wolf immediately sat down and began to howl at the loss of his prey and in a few moments made a dash at Jackson ; 24 WILD DOGS. but when within a few yards he thought better of it and turned back and recommenced his howling, which brought up another wolf to his assistance, and both howled and looked extremely savage and seemed very much inclined to make another dash after the antelope ; but the horsekeepers just then came up and the wolves bolted. The natives believe that if the blood of a wolf is shed on any cultivated land, that land becomes barren. Our Indian wolf (Canis pallipes) is a distinct species from the European wolf, being somewhat smaller, the height at shoulder about 26 inches ; length of head and body 37 inches ; tail 17 inches. It is of a hoary rufus or dirty reddish white with some of the hairs tipped with black. Tail thin and bushy, slightly black tipped ; ears rather small. Bland- ford says that the fur is short with little or no woolly under- lying fur. WILD DOGS. Wild dogs have decreased considerably in the last few years, but I occasionally came across them in my rambles. When they do appear, they become a regular pest to the sportsman as well as to the natives, as they drive away all the deer from the district ; the sambur has a most intense dread of these poaching rascals and will leave a locality for months after being hunted by them. The first I killed was in 1855, when shooting on the Annamullies. Half way between Peramba Colum and Takady, I saw an animal cross the path which I thought was a leopard. I looked keenly into the jungle, and in the grass some eighty or ninety paces off saw something red, it looked so large that I thought it WILD DOGS. 25 must be a tiger's head, so took a very steady aim. At the report up jumped three jungle dogs, and one went away as if hit but I could find no blood. I followed in the direction they had gone and saw one of them walking slowly up the slope of the hill in front, he stood on seeing me and I bowled him over with the left barrel. He had got a wound all along his back, some days old, seven inches long, which had opened out two or three inches wide, it was evidently a gore from a WILD DOGS (Cuon rutilans). deer's antler. On measuring him, I found he was exactly 4 feet from nose to tip of tail. The tail exactly 1 foot ; he stood 21 inches at the shoulder; a fine strong wiry looking brute, evidently made for speed and endurance, with great length of body and very powerful loins. I only took his brush which was as thick and bushy as that of an English fox, with the tip black ; he was to all appearance a very old dog. 26 ATTACKS ON THE SAMBUR. Another time when out looking for deer I saw some animals come tearing over the opposite hill above a small detached wood ; with my glass I saw a three parts grown sambur being chased by five wild dogs; they were spread out like a fan so that the outer dogs could cut off the deer in case it turned, but it got into the shola ; and some time after when it broke on the other side, only three dogs came out after it, the deer having gained a considerable start, got clean away. I went down to some rocks below in hopes of falling in with these poachers, but failed to find them. Hawkeye, in writing about these animals, says that in former days they were met with in formidable numbers, and he remembers seeing a very large pack headed by two dogs apparently much larger than the others, sweeping across near the end of the Ootacamund lake where Col. Wood's house now stands, evidently in pursuit of game. Their mode of hunting has been observed on several occasions. Ever on the move and prowling about the woods and ravines where sambur are usually found they start their game ; their first object being to drive it away from the sholahs (small woods) in rushing through which the deer have the advantage as the pack cannot act in concert, and are unable to press their quarry to full speed. But once in the open they exert their wonderful powers of speed, perseverance, and endurance, driving the sambur headlong down the steeps over the hills, and generally forcing the animal to take soil when it falls an easy prey, unless a deep pool is available in which the deer is often able to keep the pack at bay. " When at the Avalanche a few months back, I was one morning panting up that terribly steep hill behind the bungalow, I met a hind and fawn bustling down the side of MUNGOOSE AND COBRA. 2"] the hill, in a desperate hurry with all their hair standing on end ; and yet as I was to leeward and there was nothing to alarm them that I could see, I was puzzled at their behaviour ; but the cause was not far off, for on reaching the point from which they had come I met three wild dogs in chase, and I am sorry to add, made a disgraceful miss at the biggest of the lot." In the low country where there is more cover and game is plentiful, wild dogs are more abundant. In their rushes at the deer, they always appear to attack it at the flank and endeavour to disembowel it, and thus soon despatch their victim. Jerdon's description is as follows : — General colour bright rusty red or rufus fawn colour, paler beneath ; ears erect, rather large, somewhat rounded at the tip ; tail moderately brushed, reaching to the heels, usually tipped blackish ; limbs strong ; body lengthened. Length of head and body 32-36 inches, tail about 16 inches, height 17-20 inches. MUNGOOSE AND COBRA. One of our officers had a tame mungoose ; l a charming little pet ; whenever we could procure a cobra, and we had many opportunities, we used to turn it out into an empty store room, which had a window some height from the ground, so that it was perfectly safe to stand there and look on. The cobra when dropped from the bag or basket would wriggle into one of the corners of the room and there coil himself up. The mungoose showed the greatest excitement 1 Hevpestes mungo. The Common Indian Mungoose. 28 MODE OF ATTACKING THE COBRA. on being brought to the window, and the moment he was let loose would eagerly jump down into the room, when his behaviour became very curious and interesting ; he would instantly see where the snake was, and rounding his back and making every hair of his body stand out at right angles (which caused him to appear half as large again as he really was) he would approach the cobra on tip toe making a peculiar humming kind of noise. The snake in the meantime would shew signs of great anxiety, and I fancy fear, erecting ^ *