Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057352).pdf/357

 SIT 349 "The tiger was very plentiful in this district some 20 or 25 years back. At that time a much larger body of water used to come down the river Chauka, and the floods were consequently much inore extensive than they are now; of late years the river Ĝogra has carried off the most of the water which used to flow into the Chauka, and the grass and jháu jungle is gradually disappearing before the spread of cultivation. The king of Oudh and his nobles used to pursue the sport of tiger shooting in the eastern portion of this district, and there are also native gentlemen now alive who have killed many tigers there. The last tiger killed bere fell to the gun of Colonel E. Thompson, C.S.I., and was shot near Budhbar some few years ago "The leopard (Felis leopardus) is occasionally killed in this district. А. few still find their way down through the tree jungle on the banks of the river Kathna. They are very scárce, however, and as the tree jungle is gradually disappearing in this district, so will the leopard like the tiger and wild pig become eventually to be known only by name." Domestic animals. The domestic animals of the district require no particular mention; they are the ordinary oxeu, buffaloes, ponies, asses, goats, pigs, sheep, and dogs, met with all over India. In addition to these the wealthier inhabitants possess elephants, camels, and imported horses, Game birds.-Feathered game of all kinds is to be found in fair quan- tity in this district. It comprises The peacock (Pavo Cristatus) Black partridge (Francolinus vnlgaris). Grey partridge (Ortygornis Pondiceriapa). Common grey quail (Coturnix Communis) Rais quail (Cotnrnix Coroniandelieus). Sypheotides bengalensis), Leek Florican Sypbeotides auritus). Snim Saipo gallídaga). Painted snipe bengalensis), Teal crecea). Gargenving Teal Pochurd rutina). Wi Pilite-eyed duck nyroca) (Anas Bochas). l'intail duck Dafila acuta) kdy sbeldrake (Caaar ca rutila). Vettaping coromandelinnus). Whietting duck Delrocygna awsuree) Shoveller duck Spatula clypatea). Wild guide (Anser cinereus). Come goose (Sarkidiornis melanotus). The peacock is to be found in considerable numbers in the western por: tion of this district. They are however not so numerous as they were a few years back, owing to the soldiers from the Cantonment at Sitapur being extremely fond of shooting them. It will be long however before tbey become extinct as the Hindus do all they can to prevent their destruc- tion. No prettier sight can be seen than peacock strutting about in the early morning in the spring time. Then is the time of their courting, and the male displays his tail to the admiring eyes of his future wives. Florican Kulan circia). Mallard Catton 'teal