RUSA ARISTOTELIS. 259 



Sautpoora ranges of hills, and all Central India where sufficient cover is 

 afforded by the forests. Also, the whole range of Himalayas, not only at 

 their base but far within the hills. Asa rule they prefer hilly ground to 

 flat land ; but if the forest is dense, are frequently found on comparatively 

 level country. They rarely leave the coverts of the forests, but in elevated 

 and cool districts, as on the Neelgherries and Himalayas, (fee, they may 

 not unfrequently be seen morning and evening outside a patch of jungle, 

 grazing on the new grass that springs up after the old grass is burnt off. 

 They are generally more or less gregarious, being often found in herds, 

 varying from four or five to twenty and upwards ; but both males and 

 females are occasionally found alone. In the daytime they seek the most 

 sheltered spots, especially in hot districts, and in the hot weather, and 

 are very impatient of the sun's rays. They feed both on grass, on young 

 shoots, and on various fruits. They travel wonderfully over rocky and 

 stony ground. 



The stags drop their horns in AprU, sometimes earlier, and the new 

 horns are not perfected till the end of September, about which time the 

 rutting season commences, and their peculiar call may be heard, espe- 

 cially morning and evening. Mr. Elliot says that '• the stags are then 

 fierce and bold. I have seen one, when suddenly disturbed, face the 

 intruder for a moment, shaking his head, bristling his mane, distending 

 the suborbital sinus, and then dashing into the cover." The females 

 produce one young at a birth. 



The eye-pit, or suborbital sinus, is very large in these deer, and when 

 the animal is excited or angiy, or frightened, it is opened very large, and 

 can be distended at pleasure. Hodgson says that it is completely reversile. 



The pursuit of this large stag is a favourite sport in India, its great 

 size and fine horns causing it to be greatly prized by sportsmen. It is 

 either stalked in the forests, or when seen feeding outside a patch of 

 jungle ; but is generaUy driven by a line of beaters, the gunners being 

 posted at intervals. The clattei'ing of a herd of samber over the stones 

 may often be heard for some distance before they come in view, usually 

 following one another in single file, and giving a succession of shots. 

 The action of this animal is by no means elegant, but it gets over a great 

 deal of rough ground very rapidly, with an apparently heavy, lumbering, 

 lobbing gallop. I have known it killed by foxhounds on the Xeel- 

 gherries ; and large powerful deerhounds will bring it to bay occasionally. 

 When hard pressed it often takes to water. As previously mentioned, 



s 2 



