DRINKING U A BITS OF WILD ANIMALS. 251 



at least, they drink only every second or third day, and that they 

 could go for a considerably longer period without liquid." 



Again — " Whether black buck ever drink is a matter on which there 

 is a difference of opinion, but that they can exist without taking 

 liquid seems demonstrated by the occurrence of a herd on a narrow 

 spit of land between the Chilka Salt lake in Orissa and the sea, where 

 for thirty miles the only fresh water obtainable is derived from wells. 

 Exception has been taken to this statement, and the suggestion made 

 that there may be irrigation canals or troughs of water used for 

 cattle. The spot is, however, I believe, perfectly barren.* That 

 there is nothing improbable in the statement is evident from the fact 

 that several kinds of antelopes in the Kalahari desert of South Africa 

 never drink for at least many months in succession." 



Of the chikara Mr. Lydekker writes — " Grass and the leaves of 

 bushes and shrubs form its chief nutriment ; and although partial to 

 the luscious grass growing in the neighbourhood of water, it is believ- 

 ed by some observers never to drink, being often found during the 

 hot seasons where there is no water except in deep wells. Even in 

 places where water is found, Dr. Blanford states that he never saw 

 the footprints of gazelles among those of animals that came to drink 

 at the pools. " 



I approach this subject in no controversial spirit but with the 

 desire that a question, on which apparently so much difference of 

 opinion is prevalent, should be finally cleared up. All the animals 

 referred to in the above-quoted extracts are common in many parts of 

 India, and there should surely be no difficulty in arriving at a 

 definite conclusion with regard to their habits. 



I may state, to begin with, that my own belief is that all animals 

 drink once in twenty-four hours at least, where they are able to obtain 

 ivater. That is the result of a not inconsiderable experience of jungle 

 life extending over a period of many years. At the same time my 

 observations have been almost entirely limited to the Deccan plateau, 

 so that I am unable to answer for the habits of wild beasts in other 

 parts of the country. 



As regards the sambar, I may say at once that my acquaintance 

 with this animal is limited, and principally dates from some seventeen 



* If it is perfectly barren, what are the wells for ? 



