THE CHETAH. 77 



birds, in the pursuit of which it is an expert climber. The 

 Canada Lynx preys largely upon the American hare, which 

 it is well qualified to hunt. The Lynx is distinguished by a 

 peculiar gait, for unlike other animals, it bounds with, and 

 alights upon, all four feet at once. The ears are erect, and 

 tipped with a long pencil of black hair. The fur which is 

 long and thick is of a pale grey colour, with a reddish tinge, 

 marked with dusky spots on the upper part of the body. The 

 under parts are white. The European Lynx feeds upon 

 small animals and birds. The fur of the lynx is valuable, on 

 account of its great softness and warmth, and is in consequence an 

 extensive article of commerce. It inhabits the northern parts 

 of Europe, Asia, and America ; and prefers cold or temperate 

 climates, differing in this respect from most of the cat tribe. 



The Chetah. The Chetah or Hunting Leopard is the one 

 species of the genus Cynoelurus. It is a handsome animal 

 and capable of considerable training. According to Mr. Benet's 

 description it is "intermediate in size between the leopard 

 and the hound, more slender in its body, more elevated in 

 its legs, and less flattened on the fore part of its head than the 

 leopard, while deficient in the peculiarly graceful and lengthened 

 form, both of head and body, which characterizes the hound." 

 " The ground colour of the Chetah is a bright yellowish fawn 

 above, and nearly pure white beneath ; covered above, and 

 on the sides, by innumerable closely approximating spots, 

 from half an inch to an inch in diameter, which are intensely 

 black, and do not, as in the leopard and other spotted cats, 

 form roses with a lighter centre, but are full and complete." 

 The Chetah is found in India and Africa but it is only in 

 India that it is trained for. hunting purposes. Sir William 

 Jardine says : " the employment of the hunting leopard may 

 be compared to the sport of falconry. The natural instinct 

 teaches them to pursue the game, the reward of a portion 

 of it, or of the blood, induces them to give it up, and again 



subject themselves to their master." 



