190 SHIKAR SKETCHES. 



native jungles, will watch the movements of a 

 domestic tabby stalking a bird, and, further, if 

 they will note the wonderful mechanism of a cat's 

 foot, which causes the noiseless footfall. On those 

 occasions on which I have seen a tiger approach- 

 ing my post during a beat, I invariably found 

 that he did so without the slightest noise. The 

 first thing heard during a beat will be the patter 

 of jungle-fowl and pea-fowl running over the dead 

 leaves ; then perhaps a hare will scamper past, 

 followed, perhaps, by the frightened rush of a 

 deer ; and then, in striking contrast, will be seen 

 the lord of the jungle approaching with noiseless 

 tread, for he will not be heard unless he is alarm- 

 ed, and is moving fast ; then, caution seems thrown 

 to the winds. 



I cannot, I think, describe such a scene better 

 than by quoting the words of a dear old friend to 

 whom I am indebted for many hints of jungle- 

 lore and much instruction in sport, viz., the late 

 Brigadier-General McMaster, a keen sportsman, 

 good naturalist, and well-known man in the 

 Madras Presidency. 



He says : c I was standing at the edge of a 

 wood one burning day in April. The dry leaves 

 and twigs with which the ground was covered 

 rustled so audibly when moved by breeze, or 

 living creature, that one might have fancied it 



