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THE FISHING CAT. 125 
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 Ampullariz, 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 their 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.” 
