SCENERY AND SUPERFICIAL ASPECTS OF THE COUNTRY. 17 



smaller an imals ; but they are seldom found in the duns, doubtless 

 because they recognise that the tiger has the monopoly of the flatter 

 parts. The Wild Dog {Cuon rutilans) scours much of this zone in 

 packs, slaying large numbers of deer, especially females and young 

 ones. The Indian Black Bear, or Sloth Bear {Ursus labiatus) is 

 common. Being an inhabitant of the plains it does not ascend very 

 high. The Himalayan Black Bear {Ursus tibetanus) is often to be 

 met with in these lower hills, though its more natural country is 

 higher up in the Himalaya, in the region of the oak trees upon which it 

 feeds. The Indian Wild Boar (Sus indicus) is fairly numerous. The 

 Nilgao {Portax pictus), or blue bull, is only very occasionally met 

 with in the flatter duns ; its natural home being below in the Bhabar 

 country and the Terai. None of the antelopes or gazelles, except 

 the four-horned antelope {Tetraceros quadricornis) are to be found 

 in this zone. They need the unfettered freedom of the wide plains 

 to live naturally. The genus Capra belongs entirely to the higher 

 parts near the snows, and to Tibet. The Serow {Nemorhcedus 

 bubalinus) is, however, a common sight on the bare and steeper 

 scarps and precipices of the Sub-Himalayan zone, whilst the Gooral 

 {Nemorhcedus goral) is extremely common in similar localities. Of 

 the family cervidae this zone has a lavish display so far as number 

 go. The most plentiful species is the spotted deer {Cervus axis) 

 which inhabits all the duns, the country at the foot of the hills and the 

 flatter chaors. It loves to bury itself in the deep sal forests during 

 the hot part of the day, and to wander in herds among the long grass 

 of the plains and duns at early morning and evening. The Sambar, 

 or Jerao {Cervus aristotelis), on the other hand, frequents the more 

 hilly country, although it is a larger animal than the spotted deer* 

 It ranges for some distance into the higher Himalaya, preferring steep 

 ridges and deep wooded glens to the more open country, except in the 

 cold weather, when it may be found in the duns and Bhabar country ^ 

 Along with it, in similar situations, is to be found the Barking-deer 

 (Cervulus muntjac), a small red deer. Another small animal, the 

 Hog-deer {Cervus porcinus) is a common accompaniment to most of 

 B ( 75 ) 



