252 SHIKAR SKETCHES. 



any great elevation, though they show a partiality 

 for any wooded hills where there is plenty of 

 cover. 



They are not gregarious, and are generally seen 

 in pairs, but, as often as not, singly. The horns 

 are shed annually, but I do not think there is any 

 regular period for their doing so. The tongue is 

 peculiarly long and extensile, enabling the animal 

 to lick its own face with it. As venison the flesh 

 of the barking-deer surpasses all other in India, 

 with the exception, perhaps, of the four-horned 

 antelope and if roasted, well wrapped-up in 

 mutton fat, is excellent. If possible, however, it 

 should be hung for a few days, not an easy task 

 except in the cold weather. 



The best muntjak head I ever got was in the 

 Sewalik hills, and in a very unexpected manner. 



I was encamped at a place called Peree, at the 

 base of the Sewalik hills, and intended to devote 

 the day to elephants, or rather, to endeavouring 

 to obtain a shot at them, for as yet my efforts to 

 bag one of the pachyderms had been unsuccess- 

 ful. It was a clear, cold morning in January, and 

 the air was keen and crisp when I started at about 

 two a.m., accompanied by a very smart young 

 shikari named Paloo, and two villagers. A six- 

 miles ride in the clear starlight brought us to our 

 ground, when, tethering my pony and leaving my 



