Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/188

156 how often the presence of a Tiger is indicated by the actions of the Sambur and other Deer and also by various Monkeys. If disturbed by him in a sholah during the day, the Deer immediately resort to the open, watching with eagerness the wood they have quitted, and generally warning the neighbourhood with loud consecutive bells; whilst Monkeys will perch on a branch above the feline, and keep up a constant chatter, and in their language swear at him until they acquaint the whole forest with his presence. That a Tiger is stealthy and quiet in his movements we all know; that velvet paw of his, so soft and yet so formidable, enables him to tread the woods and forest so noiselessly that the sharp-eared Deer may often be taken by surprise, and fall a victim to its blow; and but for the tell-tale scent emanating from his striped hide, numbers would be destroyed. That he, when hungry and sharp-set, is always on the prowl there can be no question, and it is on these occasions that he is supposed to adopt a very wily plan to secure his food.

On a late occasion when a well-known sportsman killed a fine Tiger, he was attracted to the spot by the belling of Sambur and the call of the Spotted Deer. On quietly approaching, he perceived the Tiger lying down under some bamboos watching or listening to the Deer, who kept calling. Before any result could be observed, a well-planted ball slew the feline on his couch. It then occurred to the sportsman that it was not at all improbable that this act of the Tiger lying down calmly in sight or hearing of his prey might be one of his devices to allure the game within reach. We know how proverbial is the curiosity of Deer, and how, when uncertain of the object before them, they will at times advance towards it. In the Sambur this is more particularly the case, and may it not be that the Tiger is aware of this propensity, and so—like Jacko and the Crow—feigns sleep or death to attract the unwary and inquisitive victims? That he also tries his speed at times, the following instance is good proof.

One afternoon, on reaching the summit of a high hill commanding a well-known valley for game, my friend espied three or four Sambur in a swamp below; he noticed that they were on the qui vive, and could not divine the cause, especially as what appeared to be a stag was lying down in the swamp, but very far from the other Deer. On turning his binoculars on this object,