मृगपक्षी-शास्त्र (हंसदेव - १३वीं शती का अमर भारतीय वन्यजीव, पक्षी एवं प्राणि-विज्ञान)

6th GROUP.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ELEPHANTS.
There are 13 varieties of elephants. They are black in colour.
They are pleasing to look at. They are fond of hunting. They walk
very beautifully. They are very strong and robust. They possess
small eyes, big ears, stout stomachs, long trunks and long tusks
between the trunks. They increase wealth to their masters and
destroy foes. They get fame both to the country and army. Their
passion increases in spring and rainy season. After their 9th or 10th
year youth begins to them. Ruttish water begins to ouse out from
their temples. They even forget their food and try to go with the
female ones. They enjoy in solitary and dark places, on the river
beds, under the shade of trees and bushes, for a day or two com-
pletely. Generally they (female) become pregnant. Generally they be-
come quiet after their enjoyments. The pregnant elephants try to
prevent other [male ones for further enjoyments. The female ones
generally will yield to those which have been moving with them for a
long time. The male ones do get food and give it to the female ones
when pregnant and remain with them alone pleasantly. Generally all
the birds and animals would play and dance very beautifully with
female ones before their enjoyments, like bulls, horses, elephants, deer,
dogs, parrots, cuckoos, chakravaka birds, peacocks, karandava
birds, swan and pigeons. The female elephants are always, sleepy
when pregnant and take very little food till their delivery period
(21 to 24 months.) They do not take food for 2 or 3 days after
delivery. Then they never leave their young ones aloof and give milk
often and ever remain with them. Till the end of 1st year young ones
suck their mother's milk and go with their mothers, playing. The
young ones play with mud and other things till 1 year. During their
2nd year they try to go to other forests with their crowds without
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