TSE ZOTAL TIGER OF BENGAL. 51 



sounds being hushed, the prolonged deep wailing 

 howl of the tiger and tigress calling to each other 

 is often heard, and an imposing sound it is, 

 making one feel glad not to be alone or abroad in 

 the forest, and to have the shelter of a tent and the 

 feeling of security given by the belongings of the camp 

 around one. The nocturnal proceedings of the tiger 

 are, no doubt, very cat-like ; only on a grander scale. 

 It seems to be the impression that tigers have not 

 diminished much, if at all, in numbers in India, 

 since 1857. In certain localities where cultivation 

 and population have extended, where jungle has been 

 cleared away, and land reclaimed from the forest or 

 the swamp, they have thinned or disappeared ; but 

 such conditions are rare in comparison with the large 

 uncultivated areas over which the tiger still roams ; 

 indeed, in those outlying places on the edge of the 

 forest and in belts of jungle, where cattle grazing is 

 the occupation of the sparsely-scattered population, 

 it is probable that the tiger has increased rather 

 than diminished of late years, in consequence of 

 the general disarming of the people, which became 

 necessary after the Mutiny of 1857. The subject 

 has attracted the consideration of Grovernment both 

 at home and in India, and it is to be hoped that 

 more decided measures than any hitherto taken, will 

 be the result of the interest this undoubtedly important 

 subject has excited. A more systematic method of 

 dealing with the evil may be needed, and some general 

 and combined action on the part of the authorities, 



