13$ Lloyd's natural history. 



to whether it is a distinct species, or whether it is identical with 

 the Serval. The latter view is adopted by Mr. Elliot in his 

 " Monograph of the Felida?," and he is followed by Mr. W. L. 

 Sclater in his Catalogue of the Mammalia in the Indian 

 Museum, Calcutta. On the other hand, Professor Mivart re- 

 gards it as a distinct species, and this view is strongly advocated 

 by Professor Bocage. The latter writer observes that in this 

 form the height is considerably inferior to that of the Serval, 

 while the spots on the body in place of being large, black, and 

 widely separated, are small, dark brown, and approximated. 

 The ground-colour of the fur is also different, being paler and 

 greyer in the Servaline Cat. The comparison of two young 

 individuals of both forms leaves no doubt in the mind of 

 this writer of their specific distinctness. Whichever view be 

 adopted depends largely on the personal bias of the observer 

 as to the amount of difference necessary to constitute a species. 

 F. senegalensis, from the same region, is believed to have been 

 founded on a young Serval, but if the Servaline Cat be really 

 distinct, it is probable that this is the name by which it should 

 be known. 



Distribution. —Africa, from Algeria to the Cape. 



Habits. — Writing of the Serval in "The Sportsman in South 

 Africa," Messrs. Nicolls and Eglington observe that " at the 

 present time it is only on extremely rare occasions that this 

 very pretty and graceful animal is found any considerable dis- 

 tance south of the Tropic of Capricorn; northward throughout 

 South-Central Africa it is fairly common, frequenting the thick 

 bush in the vicinity of rivers. The harasses [mantles] made 

 from its skin are only worn by the chiefs and the very high 

 dignitaries amongst the native tribes, and are, in consequence, 

 eagerly sought after, on which account the species runs a chance 

 of rapid extermination. Its usual prey consists of the young 

 of the smaller Antelopes, Francolins, and Guinea-fowls, to the 



