THE FISHING CAT. 1 25 



inhabits the Malabar and Travancore coasts ; but in Central 

 India it appears to be unknown. 



Habits. — A dweller in the thickets and jungles, on the borders 

 of marshes, rivers, and tidal creeks, this Cat differs remarkably 

 from the great majority of its kindred by its habit of preying 

 upon fish ; although the manner in which it catches them 

 appears to be quite unknown. This trait has given rise to its 

 popular name, while its scientific title has been derived from 

 its somewhat Civet-lik? coloration and general appearance. 

 In addition to fish, this Cat is stated to feed largely on the large 

 amphibious snails known as Ampullarice, to be met with in 

 thousands in every marsh or "jhil" in Lower Bengal ; but 

 here, again, we have no information as to how the succulent 

 morsels are extracted from their somewhat solid shells. 

 Probably also small mammals, birds, and reptiles contribute to 

 the diet of this Cat ; while, in spite of its comparatively small 

 size, it is known to be in the habit of killing sheep and calves. 

 Extreme ferocity is, indeed, a distinctive trait of the Fishing 

 Cat, although, somewhat curiously, when captured, this species 

 is stated to be tamed with facility. 



An observer, quoted by Mr. Sterndale in his work on the 

 Mammalia of India, writes : " A pair of these Cats broke one 

 night into a matted house, and went off with a brace of ewes, 

 which had a half-a-dozen lambs between them, born only a 

 short time before iheir mothers met their end. I have caught 

 this species in traps, and when let loose in an indigo-vat with 

 a miscellaneous pack of Dogs, they have invariably fought hard, 

 and at times proved too much for their canine adversaries, so 

 that I have had to go to their rescue, and put an end to the 

 fight by a spear-thrust or a heavy blow on the back of the head 

 with a stout stick. Some years ago one got into my fowl-house 

 at night, and as I opened the door to go inside, it made a 

 fierce jump at me from a perch on the opposite side." 



