Jungle By -Ways in India 



winging their way overhead to the forest and 

 some fruit-bearing tree, with the short flaps of the 

 wings these birds affect, a faint distant sound is 

 heard. The beaters have started ! Looking to 

 see that rifles and shot-guns are handy, one 

 watches the strip of forest some sixty yards to the 

 front. Presently there is a pattering of leaves to 

 be heard. It ceases, recommences, and then 

 ceases again. Although unable to see the animal, 

 we know that it is somewhere on the edge of the 



A herd of Chitul file across the nullah bed. 



forest, narrowly scanning the open nullah in front 

 of it for possible enemies. There is a small barri- 

 cade of bushes up in front ; but as a matter of 

 fact one could sit out in the open nullah amongst 

 the stones just as safely, provided one is dressed in 

 khaki and keeps absolutely still. This is the golden 

 rule of the jungle. You have always to remember 

 that the slightest movement immediately catches 

 the eye of the jungle denizen, ever on the look out 

 for danger, and danger from other moving animals. 

 We patiently wait, and at last the animal makes 

 up its mind and appears a chitul only, and others 

 are behind her. There is a small stag in the herd, 

 who files out of the jungle near the end of the line, 



22 



