] 84 THE NEEL-GHAU. 



irritation, and then darts forward with a powerful 

 spring, and beats with its head in the most deter- 

 mined manner;* and both horse and rider have 

 been prostrated by a charge of these animals. Dr 

 Hunter has mentioned an instance of their strength 

 while butting, which proved fatal to the animal. " A 

 poor labouring man, without knowing that the ani- 

 mal was near him, and therefore neither meaning to 

 offend, nor suspecting the danger, came up near to 

 the outside of the paling of the enclosure, the Nyl- 

 Ghau, with the quickness of lightning, darted against 

 the wood- work with such violence, that he broke it 

 to pieces, and broke off one of his horns close to 

 the root/'f 



In the Philosophical Transactions it is mention- 

 ed by Dr Parsons, that the animal never lay up- 

 on the side, but always upon its limbs, like the 

 Camel. There was something particular in his voice, 

 which imitated the croaking noise of a child's rattle, 

 or the croaking of some birds ; and of the pair which 

 are recorded in the same valuable work as entrusted 

 to the care of Dr W. Hunter by the Queen, it is 

 noticed that the male, though reported to be a very 

 vicious animal, was in reality a most gentle creature, 

 and seemed pleased with every kind of familiarity, 

 always licked the hand which either stroked or gave 



bread, and never once attempted to use its horns 

 offensively. It seemed to have much dependence on 

 its organs of smell, and snuffed keenly or with noise, 

 * Bennet, Zool. Gardens. f Phil. Trans. 



