96 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol XL 



generally careful to confine this operation to places not far from 

 more or less impassable ground, so that on the least suspicion 

 of danger, it is an easy matter for them to escape. Their food 

 consists of grasses, and the leaves of various trees. They rarely feed 

 low down on the hill sides, but I have more than once seen their 

 tracks, &c, in old jungle clearings, and on parts that had recently been 

 cleared by fire ; Karens informing me that visits to such places were 

 for the purpose of eating the ashes which contained salt. 



The ordure of these creatures is usually found in heaps about their 

 regular haunt3, and there is a distinct goaty smell about places they 

 have laid up in. 



Two methods may be tried for circumventing the Serow, viz., 

 stalking and driving. The former, though the more charming and 

 sporting, is certainly the least successful, the animals being sharp, shy, 

 and inhabiting such difficult ground. Even when it can be got over, 

 there is the constant chance of a slant of wind, or of starting a loose 

 stone to warn them of impending danger. When disturbed there is a 

 loud snort followed by a clatter of stones, after which it is usually a 

 good plan to return to camp. Stalking is however good fun and 

 always excellent exercise. To be successful, an intimate knowledge 

 of the ground is essential, as it enables the sportsman to make an early 

 start and so get above their haunts by daybreak, or as soon after as 

 possible, the advantage being that danger is nearly always anticipated 

 from below. A position under cover may be taken up on one of 

 their paths, and a sharp look-out kept with glasses over all likely 

 ground. 



In driving, it is also desirable to get the beaters out early, in order to 

 allow them to get to the ground by a long route. The beaters are usual- 

 ly Karens or other hill men, who are, needless to say, good cragsmen, 

 but they, like the Burmans, are often very lazy and difficult to get 

 out. The beat should be as silent as possible, only tapping of sticks 

 being allowed. The stops can always give news of animals trying to 

 break. Local men post the guns on the likely paths — a startled 

 snort, accompanied by a clatter of rolling stones announces that 

 a Serow is on the move. As Karens and other hill men say that 

 these animals when wounded are often vicious, it is just as well to 

 be careful, as the places guns are frequently posted at are such 



