i8o 



UNGULATES. 



Distribution. 



It has been ascertained by Mr. Blanford that the gayal occurs in 

 a wild condition in Tenasserim ; but in a more or less domesticated 

 condition large herds of these animals are kept by the Kuki tribes on the hill- 

 districts of Tipperah. It is, moreover, certain that some of the domesticated cattle 

 kept by the hill-tribes on both sides of the Assam Valley in the districts of 

 Manipur, Cachar, Chittagong, and the Lushai Hills, are gayal, although others are 



COW gayals (ira nat. size). 



gaur. From indications afforded by certain skulls it is not improbable that these 

 tame gayal and gaur occasionally interbreed. Mr. Blanford observes that the tame 

 herds of gayal " are kept for food, and, according to some authorities, for their milk, 

 though this is doubtful, as most of the Indo-Chinese tribes who keep mithans never 

 drink milk. The animals appear to be never employed in agricultural labour, nor 

 as beasts of burden. They roam and feed unattended through the forest during 

 the day. and return to their owner's village at night." 



