THE LEOPARD 



victim up a tree and fixing it securely in a fork. 

 The object is twofold ; the leopard, like some of 

 our own species, prefers its venison in an odorifer- 

 ous condition, when it is in a mood for dining ; 

 and secondly, it knows full well that if the carcase 

 was left to lie upon the ground, a host of sneaking 

 jackals, wild dogs, or other carnivorous animals 

 would quickly eat it up. 



Before the advent of the men of the Stone Age, 

 the leopard had no enemies in South Africa 

 which it had much cause to fear. True, it was 

 no match for the lion, but it was always careful 

 not to invite that formidable beast to attack it. 

 The Hunting Leopard or Chita it did not fear, for, 

 although fleet of foot, this animal had not the 

 strength of the leopard, or such efficient weapons 

 of offence and defence. 



Leopards were reduced in numbers chiefly by 

 the males slaying one another in battle, for they will 

 fight to the death for a mate, or in defence of their 

 favourite hunting grounds. 



In its attacks on the porcupine the leopard occa- 

 sionally finds its match. An instance occurred of 

 a too venturesome or inexperienced leopard meet- 

 ing its death by getting several porcupine quills 

 firmly imbedded in its tongue and palate ; and 

 another which, when shot, was noticed to have 

 a swollen and suppurating foot caused by the 

 presence of a porcupine quill which had penetrated 

 deep into the pad. In the former instance the 



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