NOTES ON THE TSAJNG OR BANTING, BOS SONBAICUS. 79 



seen them at great elevations, though they appear to like the lower 

 slopes of the hills. 



Other game may be met with when stalking tsaing ; these are 

 sambar, bear, &c., and at certain times elephants and gaur. 1 think 

 the only time for good stalking is from the end of May till the end of 

 November. Dming this period the ground is, very soft, the leaves do 

 not crackle, and the twigs when trodden on do not, in their soddened 

 state, snap with the usnal pistol-like report. After the first few 

 showers is a very good time, as it is not then difficult to stalk in cotton 

 or rubbei -soled boots. Most of the animals at this seasgn keep out a 

 good deal in thei glades, for the heat in the mugg}^ and overpoweringly 

 still atmosphere of the jungle, the smell of decomposing leaves, 

 combined with the horse and elephant flies, mosquitoes, and other 

 insect abominations, are too dreadful. The months of June and July 

 are excellent for stalking ; the undergrowth is not very high, the 

 ground is better for tracking, sky cloudy, and atmosphere cooler ; 

 the only discomfort is the incessant rain ; provided however, one 

 has a watertight Te (little shed), a good dinner and a sandfly-mosquito- 

 proof net in readiness on return to camp, the discomfort is soon 

 forgotten. October and November are also good months. The cover 

 is of course thick, but the ground is still in fair condition, and there is 

 then no rain. Though fever is always more or less prevalent, it is 

 especially so at this time. 



A start should be made at daybreak and all likely places inspected. 

 Fresh tracks should be sought for in places, such as banks of streams, 

 salt-licks, favourite glades, &c. ; and, if the tracks of a solitary bull 

 be found, it is as well to follow them up quickly, though quietly, as 

 these animals frequently graze in circles ; moreover, the chances are 

 in favour of catching up such a bull before he settles down for the day. 



Signs will not, as a rule, be wanting to let you know when he is 

 near at hand. If a shot be obtained, the bullet should be placed 

 well forward and moderately low. If, as constantly does happen, the 

 animal dashes off wounded, and the ground be fairly open, by running 

 up, another shot may be gained. Should he take to heavy cover, sit 

 down and smoke a pipe ; this will give him time to bleed and die, or 

 at least to cool down. Trackers in this part of the world are prone 

 to be very rash, either from confidence in their escape by their 



