280 SHIKAR SKETCHES. 



bovines, in the shape of the bison (so-called), 

 gayal, and yak. Africa may boast of its lions, 

 panthers, and leopards. So can India (for the lion 

 is found in Kattywar), and boast, besides, of tigers, 

 which are not known on the ' dark continent.' 



For beauty and symmetry the black buck of 

 the Indian plains can rival any of its African con- 

 geners ; and, besides them, there are some twelve 

 or thirteen other varieties of antelope obtainable. 

 Ovis ammon, markhoor, ibex, oorial, thar, and 

 numerous other wild sheep and goats afford such 

 opportunities of stalking as will not be found in 

 Africa, nor do these animals exist there. India 

 has nine species of antlered deer, varying from 

 the lordly Kashmir stag or bara-singha to the 

 little muntjak. Africa has but one or two varie- 

 ties, and those not found where other large game 

 abound. In India there are three varieties of 

 bears. In Africa they are unknown and, as far 

 as small game goes, India is far ahead with its 

 swarms of pea-fowl, jungle-fowl, wild-fowl ; snipe, 

 quail, partridge, etc. ; to say nothing of that most 

 magnificent game-bird, the bustard, and the nu- 

 merous varieties of pheasant found amid the slopes 

 and valleys of the Himalayas. And all this is 

 obtainable within little more, perhaps, than a three 

 weeks' journey from England ! 



I never had any experience of shooting in the 



