TIGER-NETTING. 287 



Tigers do not mind this at all ; but it should be left within easy sight of the 

 place where it was left, so that wiien the tiger returns he can see it imme- 

 diately as it lies. The idea that touching or interfering with a kill will 

 prevent the tiger's devouring more of it is quite unfounded. Carcasses are 

 constantly pulled about by vultures and jackals during the tiger's absence. 

 Let any one move a carcass a few yards — one that is not watched ; it will 

 be seen that the tiger returns to it without hesitation. 



In tying a live bullock for a tiger, the rope should be put round the 

 base of his horns or one fore-leg. I have had to secure some bullocks with 

 a chain when I wanted the carcass left on the spot, to prevent tigers that had 

 acquired the habit from biting the rope, which they will do if they want to 

 drag their prey to cover, and cannot break the tie. 



TIGER-NETTING. 



In some parts of Mysore the villagers are accustomed to surround tigers 

 with nets, and then to shoot or spear them. This is the only method 

 (except watching) by which they can be brought to bag where the cover is 

 too continuous to be easily driven. It may seem unsportsmanlike to shoot 

 a tiger through a net, but as far as danger goes there is perhaps as much as 

 in shooting him from a tree. 



The method of enclosing the tiger within the nets is as follows : The 

 nets used are made of J -inch rope with a 9 -inch mesh, and are 40 feet long 

 by 1 2 deep. When a tiger is known to be in any particular cover, perhaps 

 a densely- wooded ravine, a path is cleared across some distance from where 

 he lies, and a line of nets is set up 8 or 10 feet high, the extra depth 

 lying on the ground ; the nets are extended into the open on both sides. A 

 hundred or a hundred and fifty Torreas or Oopligas, the only castes who 

 take part in this sport, are usually engaged. 



Men armed with spears conceal themselves behind the row of nets at 

 different points, and a flanking line is posted on each side of the cover to 

 prevent the tiger breaking out sideways. A few climb commanding trees 

 to give notice of his movements, whilst tlie main body of beaters com- 

 mence at the head of the ravine and drive him towards the nets, ^^nder 

 these circumstances tigers and panthers act very differently. Panthers 

 frequently rush ahead and precipitate themselves into the nets, when they 

 are speared on the spot, or effect their escape. But a tiger, however mucli 

 he miy be alarmed at the noise behind, keeps a careful look-out ahead. His 

 passage onwards is signalled by the men in the trees, and when he appears 



