MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. I59 



herds of gazelle that trooped down during the hours of darkness from the 

 neighbouring stony and arid hills, or might pick up a stray goat or dog 

 belonging to the hamlet, or a calf that was perishing of want. The Indian 

 gazelles, too, drank liere in numbers, leaving a regular beaten pathway from 

 their jungle haunts. 



Around the life-giviag water all that passes during the night, all the 

 comings and goings of the beasts of the fields, may be read from the book 

 of nature that lies open to the observant eye. There is a beaten track of 

 many dainty little pointed feet — -the marks of the gazelle, and the lavger 

 spoor of the antelope. The pugs of the panther may be looked for upon 

 any of the paths that approach the trough or water channel. All animals 

 prefer to keep to a beaten track, and their waiiderings are thns more easily 

 followed. The porcupines, most nocturnal of creatures, have come down 

 from their cave dwellings in the banks of the dry ravines and in the hill sides 

 and one has dropped a quill on the margin of the tiny rivulet, whilst another 

 has pierced through tha heart a goat that was tied up as bait for a panther 

 in the adjacent nullah. Jackals, wild cats, foxes, hares, peafowl, partridges 

 quail, all these and many others have been here to quench their thirst, and 

 have left unmistakeable impress of their presence. At one point the panther 

 has crouched, and crept toward some animal stalking his prey. Then he has 

 made a rush, but his intended victim has escaped him. There is such a 

 mingling of footmarks here that it is impossible to tell what was the spotte i 

 one's quarry ; only a buck gazelle has galloped off from the place, and may 

 have been the object of the chase. All this, and much more, can be read 

 upon the dusty path and on the surface of the soft earth of the field that 

 lies crumbled into powder under the hea' of the sun. Not only have I 

 observed the marks of gazelle at water, but have seen one in the act of 

 drinking at a pool, and there is a family of three animals near the canton- 

 ment, where I was lately residing, which drink nightly at one place. 

 Perhaps the poet's observation was more accurate than that of the naturalist 

 when the former wrote : 



The wild gazelle on Judah's hills 



Exalting yet may bound, 

 And drink from all the sacred rills 

 That gush on holy ground. 



With regard to the Indian antelope, I have frequently observed these 

 animals going to water in large herds, and I know many places to which they 

 resort every evening to quench their thirst. I have also a photograph 

 taken in Rajputana, of a herd of these antelopes in the act of drinking. In 

 fact, there can be no question of their drinking daily when they can get 

 water. With regard to the herd living in the vicinity of the Cbilka Lake 

 most careful observation is necessary. As there are wells there, it is prob- 

 able that there are irrigation channels, and perhaps also troughs for cattle. 



