246 HABITS OF BISON. 



and if alarmed by the approach of man they retreat without loss of time. Ib 

 localities exposed to frequent intrusion they are found only in small herds, 

 and when startled retreat rapidly, and usually put a considerable distance 

 between themselves and the apprehended danger before stopping. 



T have never known a case of herd-bison attacking man, except such 

 individuals as were wounded, and, being pursued, found themselves unable 

 to escape. Even these more often die without resistance than otherwise. 

 The character of ferocity sometimes given to bison by sportsmen is entirely 

 foreign to their character, and can only have arisen in the hunters' own 

 fears which have led them to mistake for an attack what is really th& 

 bewildered rush of a herd misled by fright into the very danger they aim at 

 avoiding. 



The habits of bison and wild elephants are very similar in many points. 

 Their requirements in food and cover being almost identical, the same 

 causes influence the movements of both. They are frequently found feeding 

 together ; each are inoffensive and tolerant of the close proximity of the 

 other. The remarks upon the habits of wild elephants in Chapter VI. may 

 be applied with a few modifications to the bison. 



Both seek the deep and ever -verdant valleys, watered by perennial 

 streams during the hot months, or from January to May, where they are 

 safe from the jungle-fires which sweep the drier localities. With the early 

 rains of April and May a plentiful crop of succulent young grass springs from 

 beneath the black ashes, and the bison and elephants then roam forth to feed 

 and enjoy their emancipation from the thraldom of the season of scarcity. 

 About September the grass in hill-ranges has become so coarse, and the 

 annoyance from insects during continued rain so great, that the herds move 

 into more open country, and especially into forest-tracts at the foot of hill- 

 ranges where suitable cover exists. Here the grass is seldom more than 

 two or three feet high, whilst it is as many yards high on the hills, and 

 there are comparatively few insect-pests. The herds have here to be con- 

 tent with somewhat light cover , they usually lie up in bamboo-thickets, 

 and if seriously alarmed retreat at once to the hills. 



Almost the only divergence in the habits of bison and wild elephants 

 occurs here. Whilst the former timidly confine themselves to the forest, 

 the elephants roam in herds or singly far out into open and partly-populated 

 country. 



When in the low country the bison frequently visit the spots known as 

 salt-Hcks, where a peculiar kind of earth is found, usually of a greasy con- 

 sistency when wet, and of a dull-grey colour, of which all wild animals eat 

 considerable quantities at intervals, more commonly in the wet weather. 



