The Leopard-Cat 



foot of the Himalaya to Cape Comorin, although 

 apparently unknown in Ceylon. If its absence from 

 the latter island be a fact, the species would appear 

 to be a member of the Malay fauna which has entered 

 India at a comparatively recent epoch. It is to a great 

 degree a nocturnal and arboreal animal, frequently 

 taking up its quarters in a hollow tree, and feeding 

 upon small mammals and birds ; in disposition it is 

 extremely savage and spiteful. 



THE MANUL CAT 



{^Felis manul) 

 Native Name. — Manul^ Tibetan 



The wild cat inhabiting the arid deserts of Ladak 

 and Tibet and thence northwards throuo^h Mongolia 

 to Siberia, is a species agreeing approximately in size 

 with the preceding, but differing from all others met 

 with in the area of which the present volume treats 

 by its thick coat of long and soft fur, and short tail. 

 The general colour is pale whitish or yellowish grey, 

 with a few indistinct dark markings on the head and 

 upper portions of the limbs, and some more clearly 

 defined but widely separated narrow black transverse 

 barrings across the hind-quarters, the tail being likewise 

 ringed with black. From behind each eye a white 

 streak, between a pair of black ones, runs downwards 

 and backwards, and behind each ear is a black mark. 

 The under-parts are white. About 21 inches is the 

 usual length of the head and body, and that of the 

 tail 10 inches. 



Unlike the majority of smaller cats, which dwell 

 in forest or jungle, the manul makes its home among 

 barren rocks, in the crevices of which it rears its 

 offspring. Its prey comprises various small mammals 



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