THE INDIAN BUFFALO 



{Bos bubalus) 



The Water-Buffalo, as this animal is often called — and very appropri- 

 ately, for it is nearly as aquatic as the Hippopotamus — is equal to any 

 of the Ox tribe in size, though it does not stand very high at the 

 shoulder, owing to its comparatively short legs ; as the illustration 

 shows, it is a very different animal in every way from the well-known 

 American one which so often usurps its name. 



The feet of the Water-Buffalo have large broad hoofs, adapted for 

 progress in marshy localities ; its hide is very thinly covered with 

 hair, the dark skin being visible through the scanty black crop, but 

 the ears have a slight fringe, and the tail the usual bovine tassel at 

 the tip. Many Buffaloes have white " stockings," but this is not 

 universal ; in Assam there is, or used to be, a dun-coloured local race. 

 These Buffaloes also differ much in the length, and to a certain extent 

 in the form, of their horns ; though these always agree in being set 

 well apart on the forehead, in inclining backward, and being triangular 

 in section. Some, however, are much longer and less curved than 

 others, and those of the cow are longer and slenderer than those of 

 the bull ; good horns may be as much as six feet each, or even more, 

 in length. 



In its movements the Indian Buffalo is usually slow, like most 

 marsh-loving animals, but is capable of being violently energetic on 

 occasion ; it is naturally, however, an ease-loving creature, delighting 

 to wallow in water or mud, in which it immerses itself to the eyes 

 and ears. It swims well, and when walking, as when swimming, 

 carries the nose high, so that it is on a level with the back. Its food 

 is the coarse vegetation of the marshes it frequents, so that its wants 

 are simple, and it needs fear no enemies except the Tiger, which, 

 however, is hardly a match for the old bull. Perhaps because of being 



