Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/189

Rh to his surprise he saw it was a grand Tiger; and while in the very act of looking at him, he saw him gather himself up, and with three magnificent bounds fly through the air in the direction of the Deer. The latter, however, were too quick for their foe, and, scampering off, all got away; the Tiger then crouched sulkily, and on seeing the hunter approaching, he too was off like a shot. Now this I consider as very probably the manner in which a Tiger takes his prey at night, and one can imagine it to be most destructive.

Tigers are not particular as to the state of their food being fresh or otherwise. It was observed on the Anamallies that these animals seldom, indeed never, were found to resort to the carcases of Gaur that had been shot until the effluvia from them was exceedingly strong,—indeed, it may be said when in the highest state of putrefaction; and on one occasion, when the feline had dragged the putrid carcass some distance, the sportsman was able to follow it up to the spot by the scent, and found the Tiger quietly reposing near to the offensive remnants of the defunct. In many cases it has been noticed that he makes his lair conveniently close at hand to prevent the intrusion of any assistance in the demolition of the carcass.

On one occasion, I was present when the noise of the descent of a large number of Vultures on a dead Buffalo, lying just outside a sholah, caused the Tiger who had killed it, to put in an appearance at noonday to protect his rights to the beef from the feathered tribe, and not one of the obscene birds would go near the body as long as Mr. Stripes was in sight. It is evident from a Tiger's droppings that he usually consumes the whole of the animal he slays, even to the very skin, as he voids large quantities of hair.

I may here record another instance of craftiness on the part of the Tiger in approaching his game, and which the natives firmly believe in, and that is that the Tiger is often heard to reply to the bell of a Sambur or the call of a Deer, and that he does so with a low muttering growl, or sometimes with a short impatient grunt, at the same time stealing on quietly towards the sound of the Deer's call. This answer of his seems to elicit a reply from the Deer, and the Tiger, ascertaining with tolerable precision the position of his prey, is guided accordingly, stops