OF THE OLD WORLD. 1 1 



on their hind legs, sparring with their fore-feet, 

 and butting each other with their antlers, until one 

 feels himself worsted, and leaves the herd ; the hinds, 

 who generally watch the engagement with the ut- 

 most nonchalance, bestowing their favours on the 

 conqueror. 



There is no animal more shy or solitary by 

 nature than the sambur. He takes alarm from 

 every living thing in the forest; the slightest sound, 

 be it only the fall of a leaf or the scratching of a 

 jungle fowl, will scare and set him off in a mo- 

 ment. Except in certain embarrassed situations, 

 they always 7'im up wind, their great security lying 

 in their extreme keenness of scent, for they can 

 smell a taint in the air at an almost incredible dis- 

 tance. 



When a hart is disabled or run down by dogs, 

 and he feels that he cannot escape by speed, he will 

 choose the best position he can, and defend himself 

 to the last extremity with his antlers. Powerful 

 dogs may pull down a full-grown stag when run- 

 ning and breathless, but not a cold hart (one that 

 has not been wounded) when he stands at bay, for 

 he takes such a sweep witb his antlers that he could 

 exterminate a whole pack, should they attack in front 

 only. 



The sambur, like many other animals, seems to 

 foresee every change of weather, for they leave the 

 hills and descend into the plains whenever any rough 

 weather is about to take place. 



