446 CAT TRIBE 



certain distinctive features connected with the skull and the upper 

 flesh-teeth, which may be passed over without further mention. 



In place of being called " hunting-leopard," the animal might have 

 been better designated the " hunting-serval," since the black markings 

 on its fur take the form of solid spots like those of the serval, instead 

 of the rosettes distinctive of the leopard. In size and shape the 

 species may be compared to a long-legged, slender-bodied leopard, 

 with short and rounded ears, a tail somewhat exceeding half the 

 length of the head and body, the hair of the neck rather elongated, 

 so as to form an incipient mane, that on the under surface of the body 

 rather longer and shaggier than elsewhere, and the fur as a whole 

 somewhat coarse. On the upper-parts, as well as the outer surface of 

 the limbs, the ground-colour varies from tawny to bright ruddy fawn, 

 while on the under-parts it is paler, and devoid of the round black 

 spots with which it is elsewhere ornamented ; the chin and throat, 

 which are huffish white, being also unspotted. 



Towards the extremity of the tail the spots tend to coalesce so 

 as to form incomplete rings. The outer surface of the ears is black, 

 except at the base and on the margins, where it is tawny. From 

 the outer angle of each eye a black streak runs to the lip, this being 

 continued, either as a line or a row of spots, from the inner angle of 

 the eye to a point just below the ear. The cubs have a coat of long 

 and uniformly grey hair, but on turning this back more or less distinct 

 traces of spots are noticeable on the shorter under-fur. 



The geographical distribution of the hunting-leopard is very similar 

 to that of the lion. Unknown in Ceylon and on the Malabar coast, 

 the species ranges from the confines of Bengal to the Punjab, whence 

 it extends through Baluchistan and probably parts of Afghanistan to 

 Persia, Syria, and thence to Africa, where its range includes Cape 

 Colony. 



The usual height at the shoulder in African specimens is from 

 about 29 to 31 inches, and the total length about 7 feet, of which 

 some 31 inches are taken up by the tail. A fine African specimen 

 in the British Museum stands, as mounted, 31 inches at the shoulder. 

 The Indian race seems to be smaller. 



The African representative of the species has been stated to have 

 a more woolly under-fur than the typical Indian animal, and has hence 

 been named lanius. According, however, to Mr. Vaughan Kirby, the 

 length and woolliness of the coat are mainly dependent upon station ; 

 specimens from high ground having longer fur and more bushy tails 

 than those inhabiting the lowlands. The same observer states that 



