INDIAN JUNGLE LIFE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21698, 13 January 1934, Page 9 (Supplement)

INDIAN JUNGLE LIFE

ENCOUNTERS .WITH TIGERS Not since Kipling's jungle tales drew from a world-wide circle of readers a deep, sympathetic interest for the. wild denizens of forest, plain, air and water, has such an intimate study been afforded of tho life and habits of -wild animals, especially the tiger, as is contained in Mr. Arthur W. Strachan's new book, " Mauled by a Tiger." The author succeeds in instilling the very atmosphere of the Indian jungle into the minds of . his readers. In all the encounters which he describes each gripja the imagination and leaves a vivid impression on the memory. Although one would expect a similarity of description in the recounting of so many of the author's personal encounters with tigers, nothing of the kind exists. Indeed, it will be the reader's regret that space could not have been devoted to many more of these thrilling tussles between man and beast. The danger of following a wounded tiger through the jungle is graphically described in the author's version of the encounter during which he lost an arm and a leg. Undaunted by this misadventure lie is now looking forward to a time when he will be able to return and stalk these lords of the jungle—not with a rifle, but with a cinematograph camera. His discourses, however, are not entirely confined to tiger episodes. He is equally interesting when telling of habits and incidents relating to all species of the cat tribe, or to bears,, elephants, snakes, crocodiles, vultures, jackals, wild boars and many other native animals of India. _ Worthy of special mention in this book are the excellent illustrations, particularly those in colour, which have been painted by the author. The very high standard of these animal life studies constitutes a remarkable achievement when it is remembered that Mr. Strachan has the use of his left hand only, while before his unfortunate misadventure he was decidedly right-handed. "Mauled by a Tiger," by Arthur "W. Strachan. (Moray Press.)