152 BISON. 



just as fond of these places as bison. In these spots the 

 earth is saturated with salt, which effloresces on the 

 surface, and all kinds of deer travel long distances to lick 

 the earth, and T believe to eat some of it. The paths 

 made by game will always be found to converge towards 

 where these licks exist. They are insignificant looking 

 spots, the ground being merely a patch bare of vegetation 

 for a few square yards, exposing the saline earth, which is 

 generally a reddish clay ; but there will be plenty of proof 

 all round of how they are appreciated by deer and bison. 

 Pig do not patronise them, probably because they do not 

 ruminate, but the tracks of elephants will often be found 

 at these places. Several existed in the Annamullays, and, 

 to the best of my recollection, three were to be found 

 between Muddoor and Tippicado. In the Nandair district 

 of the Nizam's dcminions they were also numerous, and 

 the ambuscades of the natives, which were invariably 

 adjacent, proved they were equally attractive to the 

 denizens of those jungles. * 



The shikaries, in jungles where elephants existed, 

 stated that those animals, as well as bison, suffer much 

 from intestinal worms, and that they eat great quantities 

 of saline earth to rid themselves of these pests. Moreover, 

 that when wounded, the elephants always travel to the 

 nearest salt lick to plug the bullet holes with the earth, 

 as this prevents the Hies from depositing their eggs in them. 

 The rutting season of the bison commences in the cold 

 weather, the cows calving about the months of July and 

 August, at which time they separate from the herds for 

 some weeks, until their offspring are able to trot about. 

 After some experience of herd bison, their pursuit becomes 



* At every pool of water these ambu>cades were also present, 

 and those jungles are gradually becoming denuded of game. 



