214 THE HIGHLANDS OF CBNTEAL INDIA. 



quity of man and of grazing herds of domestic cattle. While 

 the crops of the table land and lower plains are green the 

 herds of sambar come out to feed on them at night, remaining 

 during the day near the edge of the jungle, unless disturbed 

 and driven into the depths of the forest by man. They also 

 feed, however, on a great variety of jungle products ; and 

 move about in apparently the most capricious manner in search 

 of them. The short green grass that clothes the banks of 

 pools and springs, and the tender shoots of young trees and 

 bushes, may be said to be at all times the foundation of their 

 fare, and during the rainy season almost their only resource. 

 Later on, in late autumn, the young wheat and grain crops of 

 neighbouring clearances are made to pay heavy toll ; and with 

 the commencement of the hot season comes a great variety of 

 wild fruits, all greatly relished by the deer. At one time 

 (March and April) it is the luscious flower of the Mhowa tree 

 (p. 75), which they share with the G6nd and the bear and 

 most other animals and birds. The Tendfi, the Chironji, the 

 Aola, the Bher, and many other trees, also fruit plentifully in 

 spring ; and a little later the pods of numerous species of 

 acacia, chiefly Babul*, Keunjaf, KheirJ, and of the tamarinds 

 which have overgrown many deserted village sites, and the 

 fruit of several species of wild fig , amply support the sambar 

 through the hot season. Wherever any of these are plentiful, 

 there the marks of nightly visits by sambar will be found in 

 the morning. But by the earliest break of day the animals 

 will have disappeared ; and, having drunk well at some 

 neighbouring water, will probably be well on their way to 

 their resting-place for the day. For the next hour or two 

 they are often to be found at a few miles' distance, apparently 



* A. Arabica. J A. catechu. 



t A. Leucophlcea. F. indica, F. religiosa and F. guleri. 



