360 A RUSE FOR HILL- PANTHERS. 



suflered from tlicir depredations. The first two were a pair, and were tlie 

 true leopards or kcrkals of Mysore, Laving all tlie cbaracteristics given by 

 Elliot, and quoted by Dr Jerdon in bis Mammals. Tbe measurements of 

 tlie animals from nose to tip of tail were : Pantber (female), 6 feet 1 

 inclies. Leopards — male, 5 feet 4 incbes — female, 5 feet 2 incbes ; botb 

 full grown. 



Tbe Government reward in Mysore for killing a pantber or leopard is 

 25 rupees. I gave 40 rupees of tbe amount due for tbe tbree to Subba, 

 wbo bad taken great trouble in tbeir pursuit. As a native can live well on 

 5 rupees a-montb, tins would suffice to make bim bappy for some time, 

 especially in tbe matter of drink, to wbicli be was mucb devoted. Tbe 

 remaining 35 rupees gave tbe beaters great satisfaction. 



I bave before mentioned tlie pantber and leopard's liabit of living 

 in rocky bills near villages, and of preying upon domestic animals, Sucli 

 depredators keep cbiefly to deep and intricate caves, from wbicli tbey can- 

 not be dislodged even witb fireworks; and almost tbe only plan of getting a 

 shot at tbem is to watcli, eitlier before or after nigbtfall, over a live goat 

 tied as a bait. Some cunning pantbers, bowever, will not approach sucli a 

 lure, as tbeir suspicions are at once aroused by tbe sight of a solitary goat 

 stationed near tbeir retreats. Witb sucli sly animals I bave found the most 

 effective plan to be, to hide early in tbe afternoon amongst the rocks at the 

 foot of tbe bill on tlie side where tbe panther will most probably be on the 

 look-out about sunset, and, liaving an accomplice in tbe goat-herd, to bave a 

 goat quickly tethered and left behind as the fiocks are driven villagewards 

 in tbe evening. The siglit of tliis apparent straggler, wbicb bleats loudly 

 for its fellows, will often deceive tbe most wary pantber or leopard. It 

 descends from its elevated post of observation witb marvellous rapidity, and 

 if tbe sportsman has cbosen bis post well, so tbat be may neitber be seen 

 nor winded by tbe animal, he will bave a fair cbancc at it when it is seiz- 

 ing tbe goat. 



I remember an absurd occurrence in connection with these hill-pan- 

 thers. A pair was said to fi-equent an isolated pile of rocks in o])cn coun- 

 try, so I proceeded one morning witb some villagers of 11 le neighbourhood 

 to inspect their retreat with a view to devising plans against them. A\'e 

 separated amongst tbe rocks to look for recent marks. One villager acconi- 

 ])anied me. Seeing an entrance to a likely-looking cave under a sbelving 

 sheet of rock, I stooped down and peered in, when I immediately beard a 

 low, tremulous sound in the deep recesses which I took to be the growl of 

 tbe objects of our search. 1 drew back, and tbe sound ccasud. I was uiuUr 

 iiu apprehension, as my experience of pantbers and leoi)ards is that tbey 



