226 THE HIGHLANDS OF CENTRAL INDIA. 



hills. But no animal changes its location so much, 

 according to the season of the year, abundance of food, 

 etc., as the sambar. Wherever the bison is found, 

 the sambar is certain to be as well ; but his range 

 is not so confined as the bison's, being much more 

 tolerant of the propinquity of man and of grazing 

 herds of domestic cattle. While the crops of the table- 

 land and lower plains are green the herds of sambar 

 come out to feed on them at night, remaining during 

 the day near the edge of the juno^le, unless disturbed 

 and driven into the depths of the forest by man. They 

 also feed, however, on a great variety of jungle 

 products ; and move about in apparently the most 

 capricious manner in search of them. The short 

 green grass that clothes the banks of pools and 

 springs, and the tender shoots of young trees and 

 bushes, may be said to be at all times the foundation of 

 their fare, and during the rainy season almost their only 

 resource. Later on, in late autumn, the young wheat 

 and grain crops of neighbouring clearances are made to 

 pay heavy toll ; and with the commencement of the hot 

 season comes a great variety of wild fruits, all greatly 

 relished by the deer. At one time (March and April) 

 it is the luscious flower of the Mhowa tree, which they 

 share with the Gond and the bear and most other 

 animals and birds. The Tendii, the Chironji, the Aold, 

 the Bher, and many other trees, also fruit plentifully in 

 spring ; and a little later the pods of numerous species 

 of acacia, chiefly Babiil,* Reuiija.t Kheir,J and of the 

 tamarinds which have overgrown many deserted village 

 sites, and the fruit of several species of wild fig,§ amply 



* A. Arahica. % A. catechu. 



t A. Lcucojihloea. § F. indica, F. relirjiosa, and F. guleria. 



