96 WANDERINGS OF A 



In the forest it is easily traced by the heaps of dung on its runs, 

 for it is partial to localities, and both in habits and general 

 appearance has a great affinity to the hare. Sometimes I 

 have found it by following up its trail through the copse 

 across the grassy glade into a little dell, where the indifferent 

 custouree might have been seen feeding within a few yards. 

 In districts where it is not often hunted it is by no means 

 timid, and will seldom run away at the report of a gun. On 

 that account it forms an easy prey to the chetah and other 

 leopards. The lammergeyer destroys the young, but seldom 

 if ever attacks the adult. The mode of its progression is 

 remarkable, and comprises a series of spasmocfic leaps, while 

 now and then it stops to reconnoitre, or, walking a few feet, 

 resumes these fantastic movements. In thick cover it 

 secretes itself like a hare. Although killed in nrmibers for 

 its much-coveted scent, the musk-deer is by no means un- 

 common. The musk is most sought after during the rutting 

 season in autumn. I have repeatedly examined the contents 

 of bags at other seasons, but, except a rank offensive odour 

 from the dark pigmentary substance contained in them, I 

 could not discover a trace of musk. It is said that unless 

 the musk-bag is removed before the body cools the scent 

 evaporates. The market-value of each bag is from £1 to £1 : 10s. 

 There is considerable diversity in the colour of the musk- 

 deer. So much is this the case, that a casual observer, seeing 

 only skins, would be apt to conclude that there is more than 

 one species ; but after closely observing these variations, 

 I have been led to the conclusion that they are attribut- 

 able to age or season, and the nature of the localities. 

 Indeed, two skins are seldom found exactly alike. Indi- 

 viduals partial to dense forests and jungle have the upper 

 parts dark, with black splashes on the back and hips, and the 



