THE BUR21ESE GOAT^ANTELOPE, OR SEROW. 0? 



that a good butt might mean a very nasty fall, or even a broken 

 limb or neck. 



During the dry season the Chins occasionally have some extensive 

 beats. They go out armed with matchlocks and spears. As a rule 

 the drive is in a big ravine, and when everyone is posted the 

 jungle is fired when every living thing worthy of a Chin's 

 digestion (and there are few things that are not) has a warm 

 time of it, as few escape. Serow frequently come to grief in these 

 beats. 



Like all goats the Serow is a fine climber, very nimble, and 

 quite at home on precipitous ground, though they are not so good on 

 the fiat. I know of two instances where animals were driven on to 

 fairly level ground. One was cut down with dahs, the other, a 

 young but full grown doe, was after a hard fight captured, but she 

 met with such a severe handling, that the poor creature died a few 

 days after. 



In common with many other animals, these creatures sometimes 

 lose their heads and act in a strange manner. On one occasion when 

 after them, I regret to say that I did the same. My gunbearer and I 

 were going over what I considered every dangerous ground ; being 

 anything but an expert cragsman, I determined to try another route 

 hard by, and while busily engaged seeking nice places for my feet, I 

 flashed a Serow a few paces from me. We stared at each other 

 whilst I felt a fool, not having my gun, and expected every 

 moment to be shown a shorter cut down the hill than the one I had 

 taken up it, when suddenly it began to rush here and there not attempt- 

 ing to escape, till I called to the gunbearer who had stuck to the old 

 track. This was too much for the Serow, as he then dashed over 

 some fearful ground and disappeared. He certainly deserved to breek 

 every bone in his carcase, but I dare say he had been there before many 

 a time. 



I am of opinion that more does than bucks are killed. The only 

 reasons I can assign for this are that these animals are usually hunted 

 between February and April, during which months it is probable that 

 the bucks live apart, or perhaps it is that they hide more than the 

 does. Serow are very fond of their haunts, and though often 

 disturbed, will return to them. The best weapons are a - 450 



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