136 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 
to whether it is a distinct species, or whether it is identical with 
the Serval. The latter vieg#is adopted by Mr. Elliot in his 
‘Monograph of the Felidz,” 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 avosses [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 
