New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-15

narrow. winding one, running between high and
preciptous banks. AT every fifty sixty PAGES
a crocodile, or sometimes three four Of them,
might be seen lying fast asleep at the foot OF
tho bank In the sun. Our plan was 10 creep
cautiously to the edge OF the overhangng bank.
being guided 10 the spot by the oppo-
site shore on getting above the crocOdes W.
gave them a plunging fire from heavy rifles and
generally succeeded IN killing Or woUnding one OF
Two but seldom succeeded in bag5iDg one.
they almost invariably managed even though
mortaly wounded, to throw themselves into the
water. This result convinced me that crOco-
die IS almost invuluerahle on the head or back
or the upper part Of the body generally
After shooting III his way for a week or two
we found the crocoGiles had become ra her shy
and dropped into the water on seeing At a
long distance We therefore changed our tao
tics and resolved upon hooking them first and
shooting them afterNarl. and found this plan
as follows. AS bait used live duck A
large and strong hook procured and the
duck vas fastened 10 this by passing the
prongs under It's wings and so tying the hook TO
the duck. The duck nas then fastened to
piece Of the stem ~ 4 pantain tree and was
Heated out IN mdstream. the end Of the strong
line fastened 10 the hook being retained by q
fisherman, while W. hid ourselves on the top OF
the bank Shortly after the bait had been float
ed out and the duck had quacked a little. heads
began 10 pop up in tho water in the most eau
uous manner. After 4 while 4 great head was
protruded, the duck was seized and taken under
water, and after allowing sufficient time for the
SWALLOWING process TO be completed the line
vas drawn in in spite OF the resistance 81 tho
vas attached 10 about yard Of light steel
chain. 70 which a strong line was fastened The
crocodile allowed himself TO be pulled up TO the
edge Of the water and we delivered a yOlley
into him behind the shoulder, which finished his
career He turned belly upward in his death
struggle all resistance over. and he was
hauled ashore The fishermen generally cut him
up and took away select parts for home con-
sumption. and you may be sure the gall bladder
was secured and carried away as a prize In
spite II the strong. musky odor OF the crocodile.
and his general responsiveness as an article OF
diet. he Is eaten By the fishermen caste who
also eat the large river turtle, which Is an
equally foul feeder.
The Tiljooga is a narrow river not more than
ten twelve yards broad but OF great depth
IL must. therefore. contain an immense quantity
or fsh 10 support such numerous family Of
crocodies as inhabit II, and which must cOnstL
tute almost their sole food. 1t H. true that men
and dogs and cattle are sometimes seized but
this Is seldom. In Lower Bengal which is Q
very watery country intersected with rivers,
and whore the people are more aquatic n thefI
habits. deaths from this cause are much more
numerous. II is 4 well-knOwn fact that toms
great bull crocodile apTropriates TO himself
some particular spot. near a ghaut or crOssing,
or some bend ~ the river. which he Uses as Q
"coigne OF vantage" for his predatory purposes
He is always to be found there either lurking in
the water or sleeping on the bank. and ,omes
in course Of time 10 be known as "burka Jug
garee gOh." or crocodile moOred to he spot Ike
a boat Most predaceous animals OF this kind
have the same habit. and readers II Ma.Tyitt Or
Tom Cringles Log have doubt read Of
Port Royal Jack the great shark well
known to the sailors in Jamaica Haroor
Crocodiles are very prolific. Young unts Of all
sizes abound in the river. and those from ths
first display the demonac ferocity II their
species The eggs laid a ledge ~ tho
bank. and sometimes about thirty forty yards
from the water. and are covered with sand. The
female is always close by and rushrs 1t any ami
NAL that comes near them. She even drives of
crows or dogs that approa IN he spot In spite
OF her vigilance. large majority If the eggs
and young are destroyed in one way or another.
Immediately the young are Matched they plunge
into the stream. and large numbers i doubt
eaten by fishes and other animals.