BU3A. ABIST0TELI3. 259 



afforded by the forests. Also, the whole range of Himalayas, not only at 

 their base but far within the hills. As a rule they prefer hilly ground to 

 flat land, but if the forest is dense, are frequently found on comparatively 

 level country. They rarely leave the coverts of the forests, but in elevated 

 and cool districts, as on the Neelgherries and Himalayas, &c., they may not 

 unfrequently be seen morning and evening outside a patch of jungle, graz- 

 ing on the new grass that springs up after the old grass is burnt off. 

 They are generally more or less gregarious, being often found in herds, 

 varying from four or five to twenty and upwards ; but both males and 

 females are occasionally found alone. In the day time they seek the most 

 sheltered spots, especially in hot districts, and in the hot weather, and are 

 very impatient of the sun's rays. They feed both on grass, on young £ J, Jp 

 shoots, and on various fruits. They travel wonderfully over rocky and '"'^j!*'''^ 

 stony ground. 



The stags drop their horns in April, sometimes earlier, and the new 

 horns are not perfected till the end of September, about which time the 

 rutting season commences, and their peculiar call may be heard, especially 

 morning and evening. Mr. Elliot says that, " the stags are then fierce 

 and bold. I have seen one when suddenly disturbed face the intruder for 

 a moment, shaldng his head, bristling his mane, distending the suborbital 

 sinus, and then dashing into the cover." The females produce one young 

 at a birth. 



The eye-pit or suborbital sinus is very large in these deer, and when the 

 animal is excited or angry or frightened, it is opened very large, and can 

 be distended at pleasure. Hodgson says that it is completely reversile. 



The pursuit of this large stag is a favourite sport in India, its great 

 size and fine horns causing it to be greatly prized by sportsmen. It is 

 either stalked in the forests, or when seen feeding outside a patch of jungle ; 

 but is generally drivea by a line of beaters, the gunners being posted at 

 intervals. The clattering of a herd of samber over the stones may often 

 be heard for some distance before they come in view, usually following 

 one another in single file and giving a succession of shots. The action of 

 this animal is by no means elegant, but it gets over a great deal of rough 

 ground very rapidly, with an apparently heavy, lumbering, lobbing gallop. 

 I have known it killed by fox hounds on the Neelgherries ; and large 

 powerful deer hounds will bring it to bay occasionally. When hard 

 pressed it often takes to water. As previously mentioned 1 have known 

 it lulled by the wild dog. In the interior of the Himalayas many are 



