158 Leaves from an Indian Jungle. 



incident for me; for the tigress, having been already- 

 excited, was much more likely to ' go for J one on being dis- 

 turbed a second time at such very close quarters. 



During the rainy season June to September there is, 

 in our parts, little to be done in the way of shikar. The 

 state of the level 'black cotton ' soil, which is also covered 

 with tall crops of millet and cotton, precludes enjoyment of 

 sport on the plains. In the distance the hills are seen 

 smothered in dense fogs or driving rain-storms. When 

 the clouds roll temporarily away, they stand out soft- 

 wooded with rolling vegetation, and tinted of a wondrous 

 blue. 



Up there, just now, the jungle is extremely dense. The 

 long green grass is, in many places, high over one's head, 

 and soaking wet. Every forest tree and bush is in full 

 leaf. Animals are scattered everywhere, wandering 

 as they will, without restraint as to water or sufficient 

 covert. 



Sdmbar are practically all in velvet, although here and 

 there some mature old stag may possibly be found in hard 

 horn, which he has not shed as usual during the preceding 

 month of March or early April. To leave the beaten track, 

 or the more open short-grassed plateaux, is to dive into a 

 luxuriant and dense undergrowth, matted and knotted 

 together with heavy foot-tangle and the snaky tendrils 

 of the giant Bauhinia creeper while fallen and rotting 

 tree-trunks, rocks, and holes impede the difficult way, 

 and disgorge battalions of the voracious grey-striped 

 mosquito, who buzzes in his myriads under the dense 

 shade cast by the large umbrella-like leaves of the taklat, 

 bastard teak, teak, and other rain-breaking trees. 



In the larger teak forests the undergrowth is perhaps a 

 little less dense ; but the grass is often much longer. 



