386 THE CARNIVORES 



after killing them either by a blow from the paw, or by tearing at the throat with 

 their claws, and afterwards sucking the blood, being now proved to be incorrect. 

 Mr. Sanderson, who has paid particular attention to these points, and whose ex- 

 planation, although at variance with that of some other experienced sportsmen, is 

 now pretty generally accepted, writes as follows on the subject: "I have never 

 witnessed a tiger actually seize its prey, but it has been described to me by men 

 who have seen the occurrence scores of times within a few yards' distance while 

 tending cattle. The general method is for the tiger to slink up under cover of 

 bushes or long grass, ahead of the cattle in the direction they are feeding, and to 

 make a rush at the first cow or bullock that comes within five or six yards. The 

 tiger does not spring upon his prey in the manner usually represented. Clutching 

 the bullock's fore-quarters with his paws, one being generally over the shoulder, he 

 seizes the throat in his jaws from underneath, and turns it upwards and over, some- 

 times springing to the far side in doing so, to throw the bullock over, and give the 

 wrench which dislocates its neck. This is frequently done so quickly that the 

 tiger, if timid, is in retreat again almost before the herdsman can turn round. 

 Bold animals often kill several head, unsophisticated cattle occasionally standing 

 and staring at the tiger in stupid astonishment; but herds that are accustomed to 

 these raids only enter the jungle with extreme unwillingness." Occasionally the 

 tiger seizes its prey by the nape of the neck; the blow of his paw will, however, 

 stun even a large animal; and it is quite possible that cattle may be killed in this 

 manner. Tigers will on rare occasions kill buffalo and gaur, and similar prey, by 

 hamstringing them, probably by a blow with the claws. Such hamstrung animals 

 are occasionally met with, but the exact method in which it is accomplished re- 

 mains unknown. The notion that the tiger sucks the blood of his victim is a 

 myth. The late afternoon is the time at which cattle are usually seized by tigers 

 when grazing in the jungles, although they may be struck down at any time of the 

 day. If killed during the daytime the carcass of the victim is usually left where it 

 lies till evening. At nightfall, or perhaps earlier, the tiger returns to the ' 'kill, ' ' 

 and either commences to devour it at once, if the spot is sufficiently secluded, or 

 proceeds to remove it to one more convenient. The feast is commenced on the hind- 

 quarters as a general rule; and, after he has satisfied his appetite, the tiger may 

 either retire to a convenient resting place in the neighborhood, from which it can 

 rush out to drive away jackals and other intruders from the "kill," or may com- 

 pletely conceal it under bushes and leaves, and seek a more distant lair in the 

 neighborhood of water. When it has recovered from the effects of its gorge, the 

 tiger returns for a second meal; and it appears that in about three days the carcass 

 is reduced to little more than a skeleton. During the intervals between his meals, 

 the tiger is sluggish and stupid, being with difficulty aroused from his slumbers, 

 and when so awakened he is dull and indisposed to show fight. 



Although it has been much exaggerated, the strength displayed by a tiger in 

 carrying off his prey is enormous. The weight of the ordinary Indian cattle accord- 

 ing to Sir Samuel Baker's estimate, may be set down roughly at from 350 to 400 

 pounds. And although it is quite an error to suppose that a tiger can take a 

 carcass of that weight and carry it in his mouth without letting any portion of it 



