134 GAME AND WATER. 



serves both as a protection against flies and against the sun. 



In Ceylon, buffalo are almost always in the swamps, 

 or lying in water, during the daytime, in hot weather. 

 On the other hand in very cold weather, in the American 

 forests, game retire when lying down almost entirely 

 to the densest cover, as a protection against the cold; 

 they are however more apt than usual at such times 

 to feed during the day ; if possible in sunny spots. In 

 hot or mild weather however, most of the forest game, 

 as we have said, lie up for the greater part of the day, 

 and feed in the early mornings and evenings, and are 

 also often on foot during the greater part of the night, 

 especially when there is bright moonlight. 



The time when game go to water varies with the 

 climate and locality. Where water is very plentiful, 

 it is probable that they have no fixed hours or regular 

 drinking places, but take water wherever and when- 

 ever they fancy it. But in hot dry climates, they 

 usually resort to the water holes and fountains in the 

 evenings, shortly after dark, where if they are much 

 persecuted by beasts of prey, they very generally 

 resort in troops, and only stay a very short while at 

 the water because it is there that beasts of prey 

 are certain to lie in wait for unwary animals. Their 

 object in collecting in troops at these times is evidently 

 an instinct of nature, which teaches them that there is 

 safety in a multitude: and at all events, being in 

 company gives them a certain sense of security. 

 Consequently in this class of country the trails leading 

 down to watering places are generally very clearly 

 marked, and show that it is the practice of the game 

 to come down to the drinking places in companies, 

 by certain well-defined routes. When water is scarce, 



