JUNGLE TRAILS IN INDIA. 261 



however bear in mind that as a rule (at least that is 

 our experience) the exposure of tracks to a hot sun 

 makes them look much older than they really are; if 

 however the trail is followed up, and it passes over 

 sheltered spots where it was not exposed to these 

 influences, the error may be corrected. For this 

 reason it is always better to be cautious in jumping 

 to conclusions about tracks already sun-dried, unless 

 the native guide is positively sure of his reading of 

 them. 



This how r ever makes it all the more important where 

 much tracking has to be done, to be out on the ground 

 early and before the sun has become powerful, in hot 

 countries. Captain Forsyth for instance, an officer of 

 the Indian Forest Service, a man of most acute observa- 

 tion and very great experience, who has written one 

 of the most valuable books of its kind extant on India, 

 states that in Indian hunting this is of great importance 

 " as the breezes which rise shortly after daybreak 

 destroy the fine edges of the impressions (of the 

 footprints of game) and by nine o'clock it is often 

 impossible to tell whether the marks are old or new. * 



What the hunter must therefore do on these occasions, 

 is to pay particular attention to the trail, wherever it 

 passes sheltered spots; and above all, keep a bright 

 look-out for any droppings left by the animals, which 

 will at once furnish an almost certain clue as to whether 

 the trail is a fresh one or not. Freshly fallen dung, 

 though it may appear dry upon its upper surface, will 

 generally be found more or less moist on its lower 



* The Highlands of Central India, by Captain J. Forsyth, Bengal 

 Staff Corps, afterwards of the Indian Forest Service; reprint of 1889, 

 P- 34S- 



