Antlers 



spice of excitement in the knowledge that there is 

 an off-chance of our coming across ' stripes ' or 

 ' spots/ as the shikaring man affectionately 

 designates the two animals he ever most wishes 

 to meet the tiger, Lord of the Jungles, and the 

 leopard or panther, wiliest and craftiest of animals. 



But is it only the memory of the animals killed 

 or the sport enjoyed which grips us so fast as we 

 look back ? We think not ! 



Visions of the beautiful scenery, some of the most 

 beautiful in the world, amongst which it is pursued, 

 have added so much to its zest and enjoyment. 



Up here in the North the climate at Christmas- 

 time (minus the Christmas rains, bien entendu) 

 could scarcely be beaten anywhere. The air is 

 sharp and keen, and the atmosphere of a most 

 wonderful brilliant crystal brightness. To the 

 north and east in the pure air rears up the giant 

 Himalayan Chain, the mountains scarcely ten 

 miles distant and looking as if one could throw 

 a biscuit on to them. At their feet rise the 

 tumbling mass of foot-hills, clothed in brilliant 

 green sal (Shorea robusta} forest ; whilst stretching 

 towards us from this green belt is a wilderness 

 of giant grass land interspersed with thickets and 

 copses of shisham (Dalbergia Sissoo^) and khair 

 (Acacia Catechu), both now leafless. Tongues of 

 green sal forest run out from the main belt to the 

 north, whilst a dark green line behind us indicates 

 where the forest region recommences in the Siwalik 



5 



