Gaur Shooting'. 139 



Although difficult to kill, a shot placed behind or in 

 the centre of the shoulder, or a raking shot forward 

 will account for them. When alarmed their enormous 

 strength enables them to crash through bamboo and 

 tree jungle as if they were but reeds. Often when 

 disturbed suddenly, they will gallop forward for about 

 fifty yards, then pull up and turn round, staring at 

 the intruder. Several times I have admired these 

 noble beasts when I have come across a herd com- 

 posed of stupendous bulls, graceful cows, and pretty 

 calves, peacefully grazing on the short crisp grass. 

 If alarmed they often snort and sometimes stamp, 

 after the manner of deer, with their fore foot, to 

 intimidate the intruder, I fancy. The marrow bones 

 and tongue of a gaur are a bonne bouche to the 

 greatest of gourmets. I am told the flesh is very 

 good, especially the so-called hump. On either side 

 of the dorsal ridge above the shoulder, the flesh 

 lies in three longitudinal layers, easily removed one 

 from the other, the centre part being considered 

 the tit-bit, the tail makes excellent soup, and the 

 hide is valuable, for when cured it is grand soling fox- 

 hunting boots. The very old gaurs when driven by 

 younger bulls from the herds, become morose, and 

 are by far the best for shooting, as they carry the 

 largest heads, but they are not easy to find, selecting 

 isolated and remote localities to reside in. All the 

 gaurs, wild cattle, buffalo and deer tribe, and it is said 

 even the felidce, are very fond of a species of white 

 clay impregnated with natron, and wherever this is 

 found other conditions also being favourable there 

 will be found the gaur. These animals are not found 

 in the Himalayas. There the bungaur or wild yak 



