MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 323 



variations between Indian, Burmese and Siamese animals. The usual pace 

 of elephants is a walk ; it is only when annoyed or scared that they take on a 

 faster rate of locomotion, which is a shuffling amble, but the wonderful 

 amount of speed these creatures can attain in an incredibly short time is only 

 known to those who have bad an enraged monster after them. The elephant 

 is no doubt "King of the Forest ; " they are rarely interfered -with by other 

 wild beasts : now and again, however, a hungry tiger may attack a solitary 

 animal. A. year or two ago, in the Tharrawaddy district, a tiger attacked, on 

 different occasions, one or more animals, the property of a Burman contractor, 

 inflicting such severe injuries that, I believe, one or more succumbed. It is the 

 calves that usually fall victims to tigers, and the manner in which they catch 

 them is as follows: — A tiger having observed calves in a herd lies in ambush 

 close by, awaiting an opportunity (which usually occurs while the herd is 

 busily engaged feeding), and then springs out, seizes a calf by the leg, just 

 above the pad, and bolts. The herd after his attack is on the qui vive, so he 

 keeps out of the way, but while they are moving off to fresh ground the tiger 

 follows ; the little one being lame, probably lags behind, thus giving the tiger 

 another chance. If he does not get one he waits till the herd settles down 

 again to feed, and then when the opportunity offers he makes another dash 

 at his victim and invariably bites a second limb. The calf is now hors de 

 combat, and the tiger knows that he has only to wait, since the herd, if large, 

 cannot stay long in one place ; twenty or thirty animals will soon clear all the 

 " tit bits " on the ground where they are feeding, or they may want water, so 

 the young one has to be left behind. I believe, however, that they will not 

 abandon a calf until they are forced. As soon as the herd is clear, the tiger 

 finds a young beast an easy prey, and no doubt a very excellent meal. In 

 January last a tiger attacked a calf in a cane-brake. The little fellow was 

 crying pitifully; his legs were so badly bitten that he was really unable to walk 

 a few yards, so had to be shot. Two cows were on guard, and charged so 

 furiously that they also had to be killed. All this occurred within fifty yards 

 of a main track through the jungle. The people sometimes catch a " rogue " 

 or other destructive beast by means of pitfalls. These are made in the 

 following manner : — The point selected for digging a pit is on one of their 

 well-known tracks to certain water or cultivation, and usually at a spot where 

 the grass or jungle is very thick. The pit having been dug, all traces of fresh 

 earth are removed, and the mouth is then carefully concealed with bamboos, 

 elephant grass, etc. After this a good amount of fresh droppings is procured 

 and these are thrown over the grass. This ruse tends to throw an animal 

 off his guard, and so he falls into the trap. The men then turn out 

 and destroy the animal with spears or a gun. Karens now and again capture 

 one or two with the aid of tame elephants. Considering their great size 

 elephants are wonderfully active— climb up and go down steep places 

 in a surprising manner ; and they are also excellent swimmers. When in 

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