NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



the balance is restored. The Serval once seen is 

 never forgotten, for it is so different in its markings 

 and shape to others of the cat tribe. It possesses 

 a somewhat slender body and long legs, which give 

 it a lanky appearance. Its tail is comparatively 

 short ; its fur is fulvous or tawny reddish-yellow, 

 profusely covered with black spots. In height 

 it is nearly two feet at the shoulder ; its body 

 from nose to tail is three feet, and the tail is a foot 

 long. 



Black specimens of Serval Cats are occasionally 

 seen. These, however, are abnormal. Like the 

 black varieties of the leopard, the body colour is 

 dull blackish, and in certain lights the spots can 

 be seen standing out darker. The normal yellow 

 colour of the fur varies occasionally more or less, 

 some specimens being of a deeper reddish-yellow 

 than others. 



THE BLACK-FOOTED CAT 



(Felis nigrifes) 



Kakikaan of Bechuanas {Burchell) ; Tsipa by natives of 

 Kalahari Desert {Livingstone) 



The Black-footed Cat is so called because the soles 

 of the fore and hind limbs are black. This cat is 

 in general appearance like a dwarf Serval. It is 

 an inhabitant of Bechuanaland and the Kalahari, 

 but is evidently rather scarce, for few museums 



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