THE BANTING 113 



assertion as to so-called solitary bulls mixing 

 with herds, that in the interests of natural 

 history it merits attention. 



During July of this year I was hunting 

 tsaing in the Chindwin district, and in spite 

 of an abnormal break in the rains, lasting (with 

 the exception of a few light, local showers) for 

 a month, had had very good sport, bagging four 

 tsaing — all solitary bulls — only one of which 

 was a young bull. As the undergrowth was 

 now waist high everywhere, and in places over 

 six feet in height, I intended to give the tsaing 

 one more day, and then return to civilisation. 

 The rain came down in torrents during the 

 night, and it was still pouring in the morning. 

 It cleared up about 9 a.m., however; so, after 

 breakfast, I went out to look for tracks. As 

 luck had it, fresh tracks of a large solitary 

 bull were found within two miles of camp. 

 The tracks were so big that at first they were 

 mistaken for those of a bison. We followed 

 them for some distance, when down came the 

 rain again, speedily washing out the marks ; 

 so we returned to camp, intending to visit the 

 same spot next day, in the hope of finding fresh 

 tracks. 



Next morning it was still raining, but stopped 

 at 5 a.m. I started off at six in no very sanguine 

 frame of mind, as the sky was black with heavy 

 clouds, telling of impending rain ; but presently 



