THE TIGEK. 293 



the branches to get at the green mangoes. A great variety of 

 bright-coloured bulbuls, several species of woodpecker, and 

 the golden oriole or mango-bird, flashed about in the higher 

 foliage, while an incessant hum told of the unseen presence of 

 multitudes of the insect world. 



I was much amused by the result of my tent being pitched 

 between two trees inhabited respectively by colonies of the 

 common black and red ants, so plentiful in all wooded parts 

 of the province. Each side sent detachments down the ropes 

 of the tent attached to their trees, and numerous were the 

 skirmishes and reprisals I watched between them. At last, 

 on coming in from a short stroll one morning, I found the 

 top of my tent had been the scene of a pitched battle between 

 the entire forces of each party, multitudes on each side having 

 been killed and wounded. Their telegrams to head-quarters 

 in the tops of the trees must have much resembled those of 

 the French and Prussians, for both sides seemed to claim the 

 victory, and each was busily engaged in carrying off the 

 fallen of the other side, perhaps with a view to provender in 

 case of a siege ! There were far more of the black ones, how- 

 ever, killed than of the red. The latter are most unflinching and 

 venomous little devils, and prefer to leave their heads and 

 shoulders sticking where they have bitten rather than loose 

 their hold. I shall never forget disturbing a nest of these 

 red ants in an overhanging tree when hot on the fresh foot- 

 prints of a tiger. In an instant the elephant, howdah, and 

 myself were covered with a multitude of the creatures rearing 

 themselves on end and watching for a tender place in which 

 to plunge their nippers. No philosophy not even in the hot 

 pursuit of a tiger could stand this ; and everything was for- 

 gotten in a wild rush to the nearest water, where half an hour 

 was lost in clearing ourselves and the half-maddened elephant 



