Tree Tops (1955) by Corbett Jim

Author:Corbett, Jim
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Tree Tops; Jim Corbett; Wild Life

mother pressed the damp tip of her trunk on to

the salt-impregnated dust, and then conveyed it

to Iter mouth. The calf, taking advantage of

its mother's preoccupation, inserted its head

under her left foreleg and started to suckle.

Greatly interested in this filial scene the Prin- —- ^

cess, who had her eye to her cine-camera, ex- ^^^d;

claimed, 'Oh, look. It is going to drive the baby ^*™

away!" This was said as a small elephant, ^

three or four years of age, trotted up to the £^N.

mother and inserting its head under her right

foreleg, also started to feed* The mother stood

perfectly still while the meal was in progress

and when the baby and its elder sister had had

enough, or possibly when there was no more to

be had, the mother disengaged herself and

passing under the balcony, accompanied by the

baby, went out on to a spit of land jutting into

the lake. Here she had a drink, sucking the

water into her trunk, raising her head, and

pouring it down her throat. After quenching

her thirst she walked Into the lake for a few

yards and then stood still. Left to itself the

baby got nervous and started to squeal in a thin

small voice. To the cry for help the mother

paid not the least attention, for this was a

lesson that it was safe far the young to follow where the mother led. Eventually the baby summoned sufficient courage to wade into the water, and when it was within reach the mother tenderly drew it to her and, supporting it with her trunk, gently propelled it to the far bank.

When watching a herd of elephants it is intensely interesting to see how kind they are to the young. Bored with standing about while their elders are feeding, the young play about and get in the way. When this happens, even with great terrifying-looking bulls, the young are gently put aside, and are never struck or trodden on. Of all the animals in the wild, elephants have the most real family or herd life. When a female retires for maternity reasons the eiders of her own sex are always on hand to keep her company and to protect the young, and until the new arrival is able to walk the herd remains in the vicinity. If young or old get into difficulties or are threatened with danger, real or imaginary, the others rally round to give what help they can. It is for this reason that herds in which there arc young are avoided, and it was for

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