AVIFAUNA OF CHOTA NAGPUR. 369 



' The Tiger (Felts tigris) is spread throughout the district, but is 

 nowhere very abundant. Very few, compared with the numbers 

 annually killed in the Central Provinces, fall to the guns of 

 European sportsmen. A good number are, however, killed by 

 native Shikaris, and the skins brought in for the Government 

 reward. As the result of many beats at which I have been pre- 

 sent, and many months wanderings in the most likely covers — the 

 bush grown beds and sides of the rivers — I have seen but one 

 Tiger myself in Chota Nagpur. The number that have seen me 

 is,' I have no doubt, very much larger. 



The Leopard (Felis pardus) is perhaps somewhat more abun- 

 dant, often I believe its ravages are attributed wrongfully to 

 the Tiger. 



Of the smaller animals of the cat tribe, the Common Jungle 

 Cat (Felis chaus) is the only one of the occurrence of which I 

 can be certain. 



The Lynx (Felis caracal) I have once seen. It seems to be 

 extremely rare. 



The Hysena (H. striata) is very common in some parts of 

 the Division ; it lives chiefly in caves, but sometimes forms a lair 

 for itself in bushes by the sides of rivers. 



The Large Civet Cat ( Viverra zihetha) is not uncommon, I 

 believe, at least a Civet which I take to belong to this species may 

 often be seen when the jungle is beaten for large game. 



The Hill Tree Cat (Paradoxurus Grayi) occurs sparingly in the 

 jungles. P. musanga also very possibly occurs, but I only 

 identified the former species. 



There are probably two or three species of Herpestes or 

 Mungoos in Chota Nagpur, including H. monticolus which I 

 obtained on the borders of Manbhum and Midnapur. 



The Indian Wolf (Canis pallipes) occurs in some of the open 

 parts of Manbhum. I do not remember observing it in any of 

 the western parts of the Division. The Jackal (Canis aureus) is 

 of course common, especially in the well populated parts. It 

 is not often heard or seen in the wilder jungles. 



The Wild Dog (Cuoti rutilans) occurs probably in most of the 

 heavy jungle, but does not often show itself. I once saw 

 a party of five in pursuit of a Sambar. The belief 

 that a small flock of these Dogs will attack and overcome 

 a Tiger, is very prevalent amongst the native Shikaris. Details 

 of instances in point have been recounted to me. 



The Indian Fox ( Vulpes Bengalensis) Shaw, is common in 

 most parts. Both it and the Jackal by no means depend exclu- 

 sively on animal food for their subsistence. Different kinds of 

 peas fdhal) and millet are eaten by these carnivores. , 



