Page:The Three Presidencies of India.djvu/52

34 THE THREE PRESIDENCIES OF INDIA. particulars from those of Hindostan proper. Elephants, tiger.s, bears, and panthers abound ; whilst several species of the rhinoceros, the hare, the rabbit, the porcupine, are also to be met with in considerable num- bers. The most interesting and valuable of all the animals of this region is a hardy and swift-footed pony, highly esteemed throughout all parts of India, especially for mountain journeys, whei'e, from their being so sure-footed, they are invaluable. The sheep and goat are rarely met with here ; but buffaloes, oxen, and several varieties of the deer are plentiful.

In ornithological specimens these provinces are peculiarly rich ; amongst them may be instanced a peacock of surpassing beauty, besides partridges, pheasants, wild fowl, quail, pigeons, and an abund- ance of water-fowl of great delicacy and flavour. The edible-nest swal- lows are also common, and furnish a supply of nests for the China mar- ket, which realises a considerable revenue to the local government.

There is nothing to remark in the fishes of Pegu, similar as they are in every respect to those of the Bay of Bengal. The only excep- tions which claim our notice are the climbing-perch, which makes its way inland to some distance, and a barbel of extraordinary beauty, whose scales, when fresh from the vrater, glisten in the sunshine like diamonds of the first quality.