154 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAVS 
CHAP. 
or never looks upwards, but merely regards the sur¬ 
face as it advances ; but when approaching a “ kill ” 
(the term applied to the animal which has been 
killed) the tiger is exceedingly cautious, and surveys 
everything connected with the locality before it ven¬ 
tures to recommence the feast. Even then, when 
assured of safety, it seldom eats the carcase where it 
lies, but seizing it by the throat, it drags the prey 
some 15 or 20 yards from the spot before it 
indulges in the meal. I have already described that 
the first meal consists of the buttocks and hind¬ 
quarters ; the second visit is devoted to the fore¬ 
quarters, after which but little remains for the 
vultures and jackals. 
It is essential that the night watcher should be 
raised about 10 feet above the ground, otherwise 
the tiger would probably obtain his scent. 
Night shooting is not attractive to myself, and 
I very seldom have indulged in such wearisome 
shikar. There is no particular satisfaction in sitting 
for hours in a cramped position, with mosquitoes 
stinging you from all directions, while your eyes 
are straining through the darkness, transforming 
every shadow into the expected game. Even 
should it appear, unless the moon is bright you 
will scarcely define the animal. I have heard 
well-authenticated accounts of persons who have 
patiently watched until they fell asleep from sheer 
weariness, and when they awoke, the dead bullock 
was no longer there, the tiger having dragged it 
away without disturbing the tired watcher. There are 
