1840. J The Hodesum (improperly called Kolehan) , 703 



deer (C. chicquera), all these species^ though so shy when sought after 

 as to be seldom met with, must be tolerably numerous, from the 

 depredations they commit on the fields of gram, boot, moong, oorid, 

 &c. which are planted near the jungles. The memina, a species 

 of mouse deer, is also found among rocks, and underwood. The 

 antelope is confined to the wide open plains of Chynpoor in Sing- 

 bhoom, and very limited in number. Tigers and leopards abound. 

 Bears infest almost every clump of rocks throughout the plain ; they 

 are all of the long-lipped species (Ursus labiatus). Hysenas inhabit 

 similar localities, but are rare. There are no wolves, but there appear 

 to be two distinct species of the jackal (C. aureas), one of which is 

 much larger, stouter, and ruddier than what I remember of the jackal 

 of Bengal. The cry also is different, and is a wailing sound not much 

 unlike, though infinitely louder, than the mewing of a cat. At all events 

 the Koles distinguish the two animals, calling the large kind (from 

 its cry) Tow Koola, and the common jackal " Kurmcha." The little 

 Bengal fox or Corsac (Cynalopex insectivorus) is very numerous, 

 yapping all the clear nights long, during the cold season. The Indian 

 badger or Eatel (Ratelus melivorus) is found in the woods, but rarely. 

 Porcupines (Hystrix) are numerous, but being nocturnal, are seldom 

 seen. The short-tailed marus (M: crassicandata) is met with among 

 rocks, but is one of the rarest animals known. There are three kinds 

 of squirrels, the common palm squirrel (Sciurus striatus), the great red 

 squirrel (Sciurus macronnus), and a large grey flying squirrel, peculiar, 

 I believe, to the Kolehan and the Jungle Mehals. This last is 

 exceedingly rare, as it lives on lofty trees in profound forests, and 

 only moves forth at night. The wild dog (Canis primsevus), Koohia 

 and Sona-kookoor of the Oorias, and Tannee of the Koles, roams 

 through the jungles in packs, occasionally visiting the flocks and 

 herds on the plains. Their ferocity, speed, and cunning, have gained 

 them a superstitious veneration among the Koles, and dread of 

 their retaliating on their cattle, deters the villagers from killing them. 

 Of these also there are said to be two kinds, a large dog, in shape and 

 colour like a Scotch greyhound or lurcher, which hunts by sight, 

 and a smaller, red, bushy tailed dog, which follows the other in packs 

 of five to twenty, is less speedy and hunts by scent. The hare is 

 larger than that of Bengal, inhabits gravelly ravines in scrub jungle. 



