Report on the Island of Chedooba. [No. 1 13. 



Of wild animals, the deer is the largest and most plentiful ; they are 

 very numerous throughout the Island, though I never either heard or 

 saw but one species, that which is generally known as the 'barking deer.' 

 The natives run them down with dogs ; they have no means of shooting 

 them. The flesh was found less dry and unflavored than was expected. 



Next in size and number to the deer, is the wild hog, the only species 

 on the Island. They are not large, but numerous, especially in the jungles 

 which lie closest to the rice lands, on which they commit heavy depreda- 

 tions, and our assistance was frequently invoked to destroy at least some 

 of the enemy. But in general the labour of the day was deemed enough 

 for our party without trenching on the hours of rest, which was necessary 

 in order to comply with the request. 



Jungle cats are found but are not numerous, but one was ever seen by 

 any of our party. 



Squirrels are plentiful, and of large size, though of but one species ; a 

 dark brown in colour throughout, with exception of the throat, and a nar- 

 row stripe along the belly of yellowish white. One was shot of the size 

 of a full grown rabbit; it was a male, his lady in company was of mere de- 

 licate size. 



Monkeys we heard of, but I much doubt their existence on the Island, 

 at least it is strange that in so long and extensive a traverse of it, such an 

 animal was neither seen nor heard. 



The freedom from any formidable wild beast is a circumstance of advan- 

 tage in these countries, which may not be passed over without remarks ; it 

 contributed largely to the comfort and freedom with which we were enabled 

 to penetrate throughout the Chedooba, forming a source of congratulation 

 when obliged to take up a night's lodging, or a day's journey in the jungle. 

 The Natives state that a tiger did once attempt a landing on the 

 Island, but fortunately being seen while yet swimming towards the shore 

 time was afforded to the inhabitants of the nearest village to prepare for 

 his welcome, and before he could gain footing, either for attack or escape, 

 he was cut in pieces with their dahs, since which, his example has never 

 been followed. 



I know not how far the swimming qualities of a tiger may bear witness 

 to the truth of this story, but the feat in an opposite direction was 

 safely performed by one of the elephants which were placed at our ser- 

 vice, which after breaking from his ropes, swam the straits, and landed 

 safely on the opposite coast of Ramree, a distance of seven miles at the 

 keast, where he was recaptured and sent back. 



