FELIS. 205 
fringe-like appearance ; the fur generally is coarse; the nozzle is black, 
whereas in the tiger it is pink, and in a pard dusky pink; the pupils 
of the eye contract circularly. 
Size.—Head and body, about 43 feet; tail, 24; height, 24 to 2? feet. 
This animal is one of the most interesting of all the felines, both as 
regards its appearance, disposition, habits, and the uses to which it can 
be put. Throughout India it is in much request as a necessary appanage 
to regal state ; and, therefore, a class of men devote themselves to the 
trapping of this creature which, when trained, finds a ready sale at the 
courts of Indian nobles. For this purpose the adult animal is always. 
caught, it being considered by the chita-catchers that a young leopard 
would never turn out well for the purposes of the chase. A similar idea 
prevails amongst the falconers of Hindustan regarding nestlings, and 
it is surprising how soon a large adult and apparently savage animal 
Felis jubata. 
can be reduced to a state of comparative slavery and obedient to the 
orders of his keepers. 
Dr. Jerdon describes one which he brought up from its earliest 
infancy ; his bungalow was next to the one I inhabited for a time at 
Kampti, and consequently I saw a good deal of Billy, as the leopard 
was named. At my first interview I found him in the stables amongst 
the dogs and horses, and, as I sat down on his charpoy, he jumped up 
alongside of me, and laid down to be scratched, playing and purring 
and licking my hands with a very rough tongue. He sometimes used 
to go out with his master, and was gradually g getting into the way of 
‘tunning down antelope, when Dr, Jerdon was ordered off on field 
service, 
The mode of hunting with the chita is so well known, and has been 
so frequently described, that I think I need not attempt a description. 
