48 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST, SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII, 
whilst a small stag who is hanging about in the outskirts of the herd may 
give an alarm. Still there is no doubt the rutting season is the easiest time 
jn which to get trophies. 
In November the dry leaves cover the ground, the stags have mostly gone 
back to the upland meadows or to the horse-chestnut forests from whence the 
flocks and herds of cattle have departed, and the hunter and the hunted are on 
more even terms. A good pair of antlers obtained in November cause a satis- 
faction which is superior to that obtained by a similar trophy got from a calling 
stag. 
Tracking in the snow may be undertaken. Some of the heads entered in 
the list were obtained in mid-winter, but it is however very hard work, far too. 
strenuous for most men who have been for long at an office desk. The stag as. 
long as the snow is not above his legs cares little, and plods steadily up hill, but 
however deep the snow may be he gallops down in a long succession of bounds. 
After a most trying climb lasting for hours, a fine stag was suddenly found 
resting under an overhanging rock. He was up and galloping down hill at once, 
but by a fluke he was hit and fell. A big Tibetan dog broke loose and seized 
the stag, as far as could be seen, by the head orear. The stag jumped up and 
rushed on, and as he bounded was missed and a long follow had no result. 
The only method of having sport in mid-winter is to build a shed, or live ina 
village and from such headquarters to take the chance at game seen in a position. 
favourable for a stalk. Now and again the hunter may manage to get along on 
the surface of the crusted snow which will not carry the heavier animal, but 
this seems to be taking rather a mean advantage. It is under these conditions. 
that the leopard gets an innings. Sneaking along and concealing itself as only 
a cat can, it rushes suddenly onits prey. If the deer gets a start it is possible 
but not likely to escape. Such an escape was once seen from the verandah of 
a hut in one of the Rukhs, but this was a sight which is witnessed once in a 
life time. 
It is very doubtful whether the call of the Barasingh gives any intimation of 
the age—Kashmir Shikaris say they can tell. In the deer paddocks near Srinagar 
stags of all ages have been kept, and beyond that the low moan, generally 
made when the animal is lying down, comes from an old stag, nothing has been 
learnt. Three-year old and ten-year stags seem to call alike, and all at times 
conclude the roar with a long deep whistling noise which almost approaches a 
squeal. This squeal is often (without the moaning sound) but not invariably, 
the call of a pricket. 
For the habits and description of the Kashmir deer, also for ail the rest of 
the Game animals the reader is requested to wait for the second series of articles. 
on ‘Natural History.’ 
The Barasingh played a curious part in the introduction of trout into the Vale: 
of Kashmir. Many yearsago anurgent appeal for this deer was sent from 
Europe. Some were required for ‘ Woburn,’ some for Loos, and others with the 
view to improving the Red deer. Mr, Chance came to India on behalf of Mr. 
Jamrach, he delivered the animals in England and had only one casualty, 
which occurred in the docks. 
The deer presented at Woburn were apparently acceptable, for the Duke of 
Bedford kindly sent trout to Kashmir on two occasions. 
In order to capture full grown stags and hinds it is essentially necessary to 
choose suitable ground. A well wooded southern slope under a ridge of hills 
with a pronounced low dip in the range is an ideal place. On the southern 
slopes of the mountains few trees grow, they are covered with grass. 
The herd of deer having been located in the northern woods are slowly driven 
upwards by a few well trained men during the day time when the breeze blows 
upwards, in other words the deer are “‘ given the wind.” If not hustled too much 
