246 , GANGETIC HINDOOSTAN. 



KiLGAu. The Nilgau is naturally very pugnacious and fierce ; when 



the males fight they will fall on their knees at a diftance from 

 each other, and make their approaches in that attitude, and when 

 they come near fpring and dart at each other. The Indians 

 feem a mild people, yet the great men amufe themfelves with 

 the combats of elephants, buffaloes, tigers, deer, antelopes, 

 rams, and goats, trained to the purpofe : they are alfo ex- 

 tremely fond of cock-fighting. Akbar^ fays the jiyeen, i. 229, 

 kept great numbers of animals, efpecially deer, for this diver- 

 fion, and wagers were laid on every battle. A deer that run 

 away three batdes, was degraded and turned out of the Khajeh^ 

 or choice rank. A deer that gave proofs of courage, was ho- 

 nored with the name of Atkul. 



Hunting Leo- The common Antelope, N° 39, is a favorite object of the 

 chace. Thcfe were taken by the Chittab^ or hunting Leopard, 

 N° 184, which is carried chained in a fmall chariot. As foon 

 as the little herds of antelopes are difcovercd (for they never 

 aflbciate in numbers more than five or fix) the keeper unchains 

 the leopard. " This crafty animal (fays Ber^iier, iv. 45.) doth 

 ** not prefently and dire61:ly run after them, but goes winding 

 " and turning, fiiopping and hiding himfelf, fo as to approach 

 *' them with more advantage, and to furprife them. And as 

 *' he is capable to make five or fix leaps with an almofi: incre- 

 *' dible fwiftnefs, when he finds he is within reach, he lanceth 

 ** himfelf upon them, worrieth them, and gluts himfelf with 

 " their blood, heart and liver. If he faileth (which often hap- 

 " pens) he flands fl:ill, and it would be in vain for him to at- 

 " tempt to take them by running after them, becaufe they 

 2 " run 



PARD. 



