372 AVIFAUNA OF CHOTA NAGFTJK 



day time near the edges of the jungle. At night, like several 

 of the Deer, it does much damage to cultivation. 



The Four-horned Antelope (Tetraceros quadricornis) is, I 

 should think, rather rare in Chota Nagpur, but undoubtedly 

 occurs as I have seen skulls of specimens shot in the Division. 



The Indian Antelope, so far as I know, is now only to be 

 found in the extreme west of Lohardugga and in Sirguja. 

 Formerly, according to Colonel Tickell, there were a few in the 

 open parts of Singhbhum, but there are none to be seen there at 

 present. In Sirguja I have never seen more than eight or ten 

 together, but Colonel Dalton informed me that he had on one 

 occasion seen a vast flock assembled near Burwa in Lohar- 

 dugga. 



The Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii) is not common, so far 

 as my experience goes, but is occasionally seen. 



The family of the Bovifle is represented by two examples : — 

 First the Gaur ( Gavceus gaurus) which occurs in the hills towards 

 the south-east of Singhbhum and the north-west of Midna- 

 pur, and from thence throughout the hilly country westwards- 

 into Sirguja, where, on the Main Pat and other neighbouring 

 plateaus, it is abundant. 



On the Main Pat I once saw a herd of eight or nine individuals 

 of all ages. Many stories might be told of the wonderful activity 

 of this animal on rough ground. It has, for its enormous size, 

 very small and neat hoofs, scarcely exceeding those of a large 

 Sambar. The natives have sometimes assured me that there 

 are two distinct races of Gaur, but it seems improbable that 

 this is really the case. I am inclined to trace the idea 

 either to . some confusion of ideas regarding the Buffalo, or 

 to the well known different seasonal and sexual colours of the 

 Gaur. 



The Wild Buffalo (Bubalus arm) occurs in the southern part 

 of the Division towards the frontiers of Sambalpur, but only 

 sparingly. In Gangpur I once came upon the footprints of 

 what must have been a very large individual. The hoof from 

 the apex of the cleft to the front measured 7 inches. Towards 

 the Mahanadi in Sambalpur, where there are open marshy 

 lands, the Buffalo is said to be tolerably abundant. 



The last Mammal to be mentioned belongs to the order 

 Edentata. It is the very extraordinary beast known as the 

 Scaly Ant-eater {Mams pentadactyla) which lives in rocky 

 hillocks in manj^ parts of the Division. 



Several live specimens have been forwarded to Calcutta 

 from time to time from Chota Nagpur ; but they have not sur- 



