108 THE HIGHLANDS OF CENTEAL INDIA. 



line of the foreleg. I once measured a bull in the Puchmurree 

 hills which was two inches taller than this, and I am con- 

 vinced that this is about the extreme height attained by them 

 in this part of India. I strongly suspect that the much greater 

 heights often given have been taken from unfair measure- 

 ments. A common way is to take an oblique line from the 

 forefoot to the top of the dorsal ridge, and follow the curva- 

 tures of the body besides. In this way twenty-two hands 

 may doubtless be made out, but we might as well measure the 

 distance from nose to tail for the height as this. 



At this season of the year (the winter months) the bison 

 are rutting, and they will be found collected in herds num- 

 bering ten or twelve cows, with one bull in the prime of life, 

 and a few immature males, the remaining old bulls being 

 expelled to wander in pairs, or as solitary bachelors, in sullen 

 and disappointed mood. Very old bulls with worn horns are 

 almost always found alone, never apparently rejoining the 

 herd after being once beaten by a younger rival. These 

 solitary gentlemen wander about a great deal ; while the 

 herd, if undisturbed, will constantly be found in the same 

 neighbourhood. Each herd appears to possess a tract of 

 country tabooed to other herds ; and in this are always in- 

 cluded more than one stronghold, where the density of the 

 cover renders pursuit of them hopeless. When frequently 

 disturbed in and about one of these, they make off at once to 

 one of the others. 



As the hot season advances, and the springs in the higher 

 ranges dry up, the bison come lower down the hills ; and may 

 even, if compelled by want of water, come out into the forest 

 on the plains, drinking from the large rivers like other animals 

 at that season. But they are always ready to retreat to their 

 mountain fastnesses when much disturbed ; and as soon as 



