MAMMALIA. 



19 



is not uncommon, especially in jungle and thickets, as by the Jordan. It 

 can at once be recognised by its short tail and stout limbs. 



The species is found throughout Northern and Central Africa, Western 

 Asia south of the Caspian, and in India. 



72. Fclis pardiiia. Temm. Monog., vol. i., p. 186. Spotted Lynx. 



The southern Spotted Lynx is confined to the wooded regions, where 

 it is very rarely seen, but is well known to the natives, from whom I have 

 obtained skins. These seem to identify it with the Fclis pardina of Spain 

 and Turkey, and which I have also obtained in the Taurid mountains of 

 Asia Minor. It is a very beautiful animal. 



"j-^y. Felis caracal. Giild. Nov. Comm. Ac. Petrop. xx. 500. The 

 Caracal, or Red Lynx. Arab. •ss>) il JjUj:^, /hiag cl ard. 



The Red Lynx is very rare in Palestine. I have seen skins obtained 

 in Lebanon, and in Northern Syria it is not so uncommon. It has a wide 

 range, extending through all Africa, Arabia, Persia, and India. 



74. Fclis jnbata. Schreb. Siiugth. iii. 392. The Cheetah, or 

 Hunting Leopard. Arab. J.^, Faked. 



This graceful Leopard is scarce, but still haunts the wooded hills of 

 Galilee and the neighbourhood of Tabor. East of Jordan it is far more 

 common, and is much valued by the Arabs. It can be at once distin- 

 guished from the Leopard by its more slender build, its much longer 

 limbs and tail, and by being dappled with black spots instead of rings. 



Some writers distinguish between the Indian Fclis jnbata and the 

 African Fclis gtittata. I am unable to recognise the distinction, or to say 

 to which, if they be different, the Syrian Cheetah belongs. One or 

 other species is found throughout Africa and the warmer parts of Asia. 



FAMILY, HY^NID.E. 



75. Hycena striata. (L. Syst. Nat. i., p. 58.) Striped Hyaena. 

 Heb. y^ny. Arab. ^, Dcbad. 



The Hysena is common in every part of Palestine, and indifferent as to 



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