114 THE HIGHLANDS OF CENTEAL INDIA. 



bison are rutting, and they will be found collected in 

 herds numbering ten or twelve cows, with one bull in 

 the prime of life, and a few immature males, the re- 

 maining old bulls being expelled to wander in pairs, or 

 as solitary bachelors, in sullen and disappointed mood. 

 Very old bulls with worn horns are almost always found 

 alone, never, apparently, rejoining the herd after being 

 once beaten by a younger rival. These solitary gentle- 

 men wander about a great deal ; while the herd, if 

 undisturbed, will constantly be found in the same 

 neighbourhood. Each herd appears to possess a tract of 

 country tabooed to other herds ; and in this are always 

 included more than one stronghold, where the density 

 of the cover renders pursuit of them hopeless. When 

 frequently disturbed in and about one of these, they 

 make ofif at once to one of the others. 



As the hot season advances, and the springs in the 

 higher ranges dry up, the bison come lower down the 

 hills ; and may even, if compelled by want of water, 

 come out into the forest on the plains, drinking from 

 the large rivers like other animals at that season. But 

 they are always ready to retreat to their mountain 

 fastnesses when much disturbed ; and as soon as the fall 

 of the rains has renewed the supply of water, and 

 freshened the grass in the higher hills, they retire again 

 to their favourite plateaux. At this season the cows 

 begin to calve, and separate a good deal, remaining for 

 two or three months secluded in some spot where 

 grazing and water are plentiful. The bulls and young 

 cows are then often found together in herds of six to 

 ten, the oldest bulls, however, always remaining alone. 

 During the lulls in the monsoon, a species of gadfly 

 appears in the jungles, which is exceedingly troublesome 



