AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 
67 
HAWKING AND TIGER-HUNTING IN INDIA. 
The Rajah had promised his hawks and cheetahs for a 
morning’s amusement, and at day-light we sallied out. 
We were not out long before some royal curlews were dis- 
covered feeding in a field, quite unconscious of the array 
against them; but upon being put up, they were fully 
aware of their danger. It may prove interesting to those 
unacquainted with Indian field-sports, to have that which 
relates to hawking described; and the present day’s sport 
is instanced to commemorate as gratifying a specimen of 
this particular kind as ever was witnessed. The curlew 
being roused, and seeing its enemies, screamed loudly, 
and began to mount almost perpendicularly. The hawk, 
which was of the long-wing soaring kind, named a bhyree, 
proceeded in chase. Aware of his inability to rise so fast 
as his quarry, he went away, as if not disposed to come 
back, but imperceptibly ascending. Having gone far 
enough, he tacked, and continued to do so until he was 
above the curlew. These turns which the hawk makes 
are very beautiful, and evince great sagacity. In the 
mean time, the curlew had got so high as scarcely to be 
within ken, having also gained a considerable distance 
from where it rose. It is necessary, therefore, that those 
following this sport should ride very hard, and the eye 
and mind being intent on the birds in the skies, renders 
the work of a hazardous nature. The hawk continues his 
tacking, though far away from the curlew, until he finds 
himself above the level of his prey, and then oil he goes 
with the speed of lightning. The curlew perceives his 
disadvantage, and hastens to get over water, as the 
hawk knows that he is then in great danger, and refuses to 
strike. If, however, no water is near, the curlew makes 
for the ground as fast as he can fly, and it is only known 
by his descending that the hawk is above him, both are so 
high and so far away. At this moment the greatest de- 
light is experienced. The hawk closing his wings rushes 
down in the pursuit with a velocity incredible to those 
who have not witnessed it, and such is it that his passage 
through the air sounds like a mighty wind. The curlew 
cannot escape, and before he has time to reach the earth 
the hawk has stricken him senseless. The latter is too 
careful to come with all his own force with the curlew to 
the ground, as he would most likely be killed; but he in- 
stinctively drops him when within a few yards, and then 
follows and secures his prey. The keepers and amateurs 
come up and prevent the hawk being injured by the 
fluttering or pecking of the curlew. The proceedings are 
similar to those in European countries after the flight and 
capture, such as breaking the poor creature’s wings, and 
permitting the hawk to find his own way to the victim’s 
heart through his breast, and having the marrow of the 
legs drawn out by a feather of his wing, and given as a sop 
of reward for his success. It was seldom the keeper had 
the kindness to ease the curlew’s sufferings by killing it 
at once. 
The riding, the hawk’s manoeuvring, and the attempts 
of the curlew to escape, make this sport one of great excita- 
tion. If the hawk can merely see his quarry, and he is a 
staunch bird, there is no fear of his quitting it, though he 
may set off in a contrary direction. Aid must be at hand 
to free him from water, or any birds such as kites or 
crows, who invariably attack him if without defence. 
After breakfast we accompanied the Rajah in some boats 
upon the lake to hawk for water-fowl; there were plenty of 
teal, ducks, and coots; these were pursued by the baz, or 
short-winged hawk, and brought to land. It was amusing 
to see the hawk get upon the body of a bird, if they both 
fell into the water; for some of the coots and ducks were 
too heavy for them to carry. This was rather dull sport. 
In the evening we dined with the Rajah in the tent. 
March 1. — To the right bank of the Ganges, (eight 
miles.) From two to three miles before reaching camp 
we quitted the high grounds, and came down into what are 
termed kader lands, i. e. those flooded in the rains, and 
yielding nothing but long grass, used in thatching 
houses, and such like purposes. This belt of land is 
on both sides of the river; it varies in width from half a 
mile to two miles, and continues for a great distance. 
There are a few scattered villages where a higher patch of 
ground offers some chances of harvest for the toil of cul- 
ture, but for the most part, being low and swampy, with 
very thick grass and bushes, it is almost in the undisputed 
possession of tigers, and myriads of other game. 
In the forenoon, flying rumours were about that sundry 
bullocks had been killed over night by a party of maraud- 
ing tigers; nothing certain of their being near came in till 
three o’clock, when it was decided to mount and go in 
quest of them. Out the party sallied, his Excellency at 
its head. There were nine elephants with sportsmen 
in howdahs, and twelve others with pads only; these 
twenty-one made a good line, and we bent our course to 
the remains of the deceased bullocks. We beat up and 
down for an hour, putting up quantities of black partridge, 
hog-deer, and other game. The grass had been set on fire 
in some places by the herdsmen, for the purpose of their 
flocks being able to get at the young sprouts underneath: 
these fires, from the high wind, burnt with amazing fury, 
and the roaring noise was almost alarming; it required some 
ingenuity to get out of its course. After beating about 
for some time in the swamp we came upon a tiger. When 
the elephants found out what sort of play we were after, 
