186 SPORT IN BENGAL. 



" Shikaree " received a nasty touch of the horn of a buffalo in 

 the small of his back, which doubled him up ; others were 

 struck, knocked down, or trampled upon, but, most fortu- 

 nately, no fatal injuries were received, so that after all we 

 had a hearty laugh at the wild scene of flight and dismay 

 when we might have been lamenting over broken bones or 

 something even more serious. 



It is probable that these herds had been passing athwart 

 the wind in the tree covert behind our backs, and scenting 

 and possibly hearing us, about the time L.'s nose gave warn- 

 ing, they had, in a fit of rage or fear, dashed straight at and 

 over us. The few shots fired hurriedly at the last of the fly- 

 ing animals had no visible effect. 



Comparing the advantages of one with another, perhaps 

 the country along the sea-coast of Balasore is about the best 

 for stalking, it being open and yet offering sufficient cover for 

 approaching within easy range; besides, it affords shots at 

 spotted deer, black buck, wild fowl of all kinds, partridges 

 and jungle-fowl. The right bank of the Soobunreekha, from 

 above Jellaisur to the sea, used to be very good, and is so 

 still, I believe ; but I have not shot over it for ten years or 

 more. In addition to all the game above enumerated, there 

 were, and are still, no doubt, bears, panthers, and a tiger occa- 

 sionally ; but the coverts being thick, elephants are required 

 to beat them properly. 



Shooting with Dr. R. H. P. over a portion of the country 

 last described, we had an example of what a steel-tipped 

 conical bullet from a good 10 -bore rifle could do with so 

 tough and bulky an animal as the bull buffalo. The weather 

 being extremely hot, we had left our camp before sunrise, in 

 the expectation of meeting with a solitary bull or two, and 

 picking up a spotted stag. Some distance from our tents, we 

 came upon a line of stunted trees and coarse grass, growing 

 on both banks of what was then a dry water-course, P. 

 taking one side and I the other, each followed by a single 

 gun-bearer, the other attendants remaining some distance 

 behind as usual. As we silently advanced, a loud rustling 



