GAV^US GAURUS. 305 



deep bowery j ungle, and deliberately quarter himself on tbe cultivation 

 of the adjacent villages. The villagers, though ready to assist Europeans 

 in the slaughter of bison, will not themselves destroy them (the inviola- 

 bility of the cow extending to the bison), and so bold does this freebooting 

 animal become in consequence, that he has been known to drive the ryots 

 from the fields, and deliberately devour the produce. But in general it 

 is a timid animal, and it is difficult to get within gun-shot of them." 



The same observer also remai-ks : "The bison ordinarily frequents 

 the hills, seeking the highest and coolest parts, but during the hottest 

 weather, and when the hills are parched by the heat, or the grass con- 

 sumed by fire, the single families in which they commonly range the hills, 

 congregate into large herds, and strike deep into the great woods and 

 valleys ; but after the first showers, and when verdure begins to re- 

 appear, they again disperse and range about freely. In wet and windy 

 weather they again resort to the valleys to escape its inclemency, and 

 also to avoid a species of fly or gnat, which harasses them greatly. In 

 the months of July and August they regularly descend to the plains for 

 the purpose of licking the earth impregnated with natron or soda, 

 which seems as essential to their well-doing as common salt is to the 

 domestic animal when kept in hilly tracts." 



The breeding season appears to be in the cold weather, and the young 

 are born from June to October, the greatest number in August. The old 

 male drives the others from the herd at the breeding season, and the 

 single ones seen in the jungle are young males of this description : it 

 is probable the very old bulls are sometimes expelled also by younger and 

 stronger males. The period of gestation is said to be the same as with 

 the cow or buffalo. Hodgson was informed that it was longer. 



The Gaur is, in general, one of the most timid and wary of animals, and 

 requires to be stalked most carefully. Where the hills are grassy, with 

 tracts of dense forest, they may be discovered occasionally, early in the 

 morning, feeding outsi<le the foi'est, or even lying down, in pretty close 

 proximity, however, to the wood, and if very carefully approached against 

 the wind, and perfectly noiselessly, the sportsman may get a favourable 

 shot. Now and then too they are stalked in the depth of the fox*est, a good 

 tracker following them to their mid-day lair. When disturbed, the first 

 who perceives the intruder stamps loudly with his foot to alarm the rest, 

 and the whole rush through the forest, breaking down eveiy obstacle, and 

 forcing their way with a terrible crash. When suddenly approached in 



X 



