PORTAX PICTUS. Jerdon. The Antilope pieta, Pallas. I Tragelaplau hIppelapbus, A. tragocamelue, Pall. °gay.
Damalis risia, Sm., Elliot.
Maravi, . . . CAN. I Itejb, Gurayi, Guriya, GoNt). Slanu-potv, . . .
Roz, HIND., MAIM.
The Nil-Gai belongs to the sub-family Antilopinai and family Bovidm. It is found throughout India from near the foot of the Himalaya to the extreme south of Mysore, but is most abundant in Central India and in the country between the Jumna and the Ganges. It does not occur in Ceylon or Assam, or in the countries east of Bengal. The male is 6} to 7 feet long ; at the shoulder, 4+ to 4} feet high ; horns, 8 to 10 inches ; and tail, 18 to 21 inches long. The male is of an iron-grey colour, lower parts white, head and limbs tinged with sepia brown. It frequents forests and low jungles, and associates in small herds of 7 to 20. It can be tamed, but is apt to be vicious at times. It was probably
the Hippelaphus of Aristotle. It is comparat ively rare, and is becoming more so every day. The country people are apt to confound it with the Sambur ; but the localities frequented by the two animals are totally different. The Sambur is impatient of heat, and requires shade and deep cover ; the Nil-Gai is indifferent to the sun at noon, and in the open plains it requires a good horse and a long run to come lip with it. The Nil-Gai drops on its knees to feed, and attacks and defends itself by butting with the head. The Sambur, on the other hand, never kneels, and when irritated rises on its hind legs, and strikes with the forefeet. In Gujerat the Nil-Gai is found in the open, grassy plains ; the herd marches in a line, the bull leading with 8 or 10 cows following. Mammals, p. 273.