86 LLOYDS NATURAL HISTORY. 



year 1893, where it is stated that the number of cattle destroyed 

 by wild animals and Snakes was 90,253, compared with 81,658 

 in the previous year. The total figures are not, probably, ot 

 much value, as such occurrences are frequently not reported, 

 or are ascribed to the wrong cause ; but the figures for damage 

 done by wild beasts are probably more reliable than those 

 regarding Snake-bite. Out of the number (85,131) of cattle 

 reported as destroyed by wild animals, the great majority 

 were killed by Tigers and Leopards, the figures (33,526 and 

 34,404 respectively) showing a considerable increase on those 

 of 1892 in each case. Tigers appear to be specially destructive 

 to cattle in Assam, where the number of head destroyed was 

 reported as 12,840, the next highest figure being 8,716 in 

 Bengal. Leopards destroyed 10,359 cattle in Bengal and 

 7,765 in Madras. 



The number of wild beasts destroyed is returned as 15,309, 

 as compared with 15,988 in 1892. The amount paid in re- 

 wards for their destruction was Rs. i,o_i,8io, against Rs. 

 1,07,974 in 1892. Rs. 37,024 were paid for destroying 1,267 

 Tigers, and Rs. 41,236 for destroying 4,088 Leopards. 



Unlike both the Tiger and the Lion, the Leopard is a com- 

 paratively silent animal ; but when surprised, or in a charge, it 

 utters a roar not very dissimilar to that of the former. The cry 

 of the Leopard, which is but very seldom heard, is stated, how- 

 ever, to be quite peculiar. In India the female gives birth to 

 her cubs, which vary from two to four in number, during the 

 months of February and March. 



In India, while large numbers of Leopards are captured by 

 the natives in traps, by Europeans they are either shot from 

 macha?is (platforms supported by poles or built up in trees), being 

 hunted with dogs, when they not unfrequently take to trees, or 

 are beaten out from covert. The following narrative, some- 

 what abbreviated and amended, by an anonymous author, of 



