4 WILD MEN AND WILD BEASTS. 



of water in the country teems with ducks of every description. 

 Waders of many kinds would afford interest to the naturalist, 

 and the coolen or blue crane, which is found in large numbers, 

 forms a valuable addition to the table of the sportsman. 

 Hares are also plentiful in many places ; the grey and painted 

 partridges are common, and rock or sand grouse are found on 

 light and dry soils. If the hunter cares to vary his amuse- 

 ments, foxes and jackals will always give fair sport before a 

 " running dog." 



In the " Geer" of Kattyawar lions are to be found, though 

 not in such numbers as formerly ; but I believe there are no 

 tigers in this part. I have, however, never shot in that 

 jungle. Wild boars and nylghae are plentiful ; but the 

 country is rugged, and not suited for hog-hunting on horse- 

 back. Panthers are met with in considerable numbers. 



I would not recommend this country for the hot weather, 

 unless the pursuit of lions is an especial object ; and even then 

 not unless very good " shikarees," or native hunters, could be 

 got. I think a better bag would be made in the valleys of the 

 Nerbudda and Taptee. 



From the plains of Guzerat and Kattyawar the sportsman 

 might return to Ahmedabad, and thence to Bombay. Start- 

 ing again about the end of February, some 200 miles by the 

 Great Indian Peninsular Eailway would bring him to the 

 Asseerghur jungles, which are numerously stocked with tigers, 

 bears, panthers, bison, pigs, the sambur or Indian red deer, 

 chetul or axis, and several smaller kinds of deer. 



By this time the country would be tolerably well dried 

 up, and a large portion of the grass in the heavy jungles would 

 have been burnt. Until the jungles are cleared there is little 

 hope of sport, however numerous the game. 



It would be well to secure and pay two good shikarees 



