THE TIGER. 



|ilaced, arranged, as may be seen by the engraving, nearly at right angles Avith 

 the body or limbs. Some of these stripes are double, but the greater number aro 

 single dark streaks. The under parts of the body, the chest, throat, and the 

 long hair which tufts each side of the face, are almost white, and upon these part? 

 the stripes become very obscure, fading gradually into the light tint of the fur. 

 The tail is of a whiter hue than the upper portions of the body, and is decorated 

 in hke manner with dark rings. 



So brilliantly adorned an animal would a])pear to be very conspicuous among 

 even the trees and bushes, and to thrust itself boldly npon the view. But there 

 is no animal that can hide itself more thoroughly than the Tiger, or which car 

 walk through the imderwoods with less betrayal of its presence. 



The vertical stripes of the body harmonize so well with the dry, dusky junpj.i! 

 grass among which this creature loves to dwell, that the grass and fur are hardly 

 distinguishable from each other except by a quick and experienced eye. A Tiger 

 may thus lie concealed so cleverly, that even when crouching among low and 

 scanty vegetation, it may be almost trodden on without being seen. The stej), too, 

 is so quiet and stealthy, that it gives uo audible indication of the creature's 

 whereabouts^ and the Tiger has, besides, a curious habit of drawing in its breath 

 and flattening its fur, so as to reduce its bulk as far as possible. AVhen a Tiger 

 thus slinks away from the himters or from any dreaded danger, it looks a most 

 contemptible and cowardly creature, hardly to be recognised in the fiery beast, 

 which, when driven to bay, rushes, regardless of danger, with fierce yells of rage 

 and bristling hair, npon the foremost ibe. 



The 'J'iger is very clever in selecting spots from whence it can watch the 

 approach of its intended prey, itself being crouched under the shade of foliage or 

 behind the screen of some friendly rock. It is fond of lying in wait by the side 

 of moderately frequented roads, more particidarly choosing those spots where the 

 shade is the dee])cst, and wliere water may be found at hand wherewith to quench 

 the thirst that it always feels when consuming its ])rey. l>om such a point of 

 vantage it will leap with terrible ctiect, seldom making but above a single sprinu", 

 and, as a rule, always being felt before it is seen or heard. 



In the districts where these temble animals take up their aliode, an unexpected 

 meeting with a Tiger is by no means an unconnnon event. AVhile engaged in 

 hog-spearing, the sportsmen have many times come suddenly npon a Tiger that 

 was lying fjuite composedly in the heavy " ihur" grass from which the hog had 

 started. " In such cases, the terror of the native horses is excessive, for their dread 

 of the Tiger is so great, that the scent of a Tiger's ])resencc, or the sight of a 

 dried skin, is sufficient to set them ])luiiging and kicking in their attempts to 

 escape from the dreaded proi)inquity. One hoise, which had been tcrrilied by a 



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