172 



THE CHETAH. 



Chetah is popularly termed the "Hunting Leopard," it can lay but little claim to the 

 pardine title, and has probably been placed among the true leopards more on account of its 

 spotted hide than for its shape and structure. The claws of this animal are but partially 

 retractile, nor are they so sharply curved, nor so beautifully pointed, as those of the leopard. 

 The Chetah is unable to climb trees like the leopard, and in the general contour of its body 

 evidently forms one of the connecting links between the feline and the canine races. 



The Chetah is one of those animals which gain their living by mingled craft and agility. 

 Its chief food is obtained from the various deer and antelopes which inhabit the same country, 

 and in seizing and slaying its prey no little art is required. The speed of this animal is 



*"' 



CHETAH . Gueparda jubata. 



not very great, and it has but little endurance ; so that an antelope or a stag could set the 

 spotted foe at defiance, and in a short half-hour place themselves beyond his reach. But 

 it is the business of the Chetah to hinder the active and swift-footed deer from obtaining that 

 invaluable half -hour, and to strike them down before they are aware of his presence. 



In order to obtain this end, the Chetah watches for a herd of deer or antelopes, or is con- 

 tent to address himself to the pursuit of a solitary individual, or a little band of two or three, 

 should they be placed in a position favorable for his purpose. Crouching upon the ground so 

 as to conceal himself as much as possible from the watchful eyes of the intended prey, the Chetah 

 steals rapidly and silently upon them, never venturing to show himself until he is within reach 

 of a single spring. Having singled out one individual from the herd, the Chetah leaps upon 

 the devoted animal and dashes it to the ground. Fastening his strong grip in the throat of the 

 dying animal, the Chetah laps the hot blood, and for the time seems forgetful of time or place. 



Of these curious habits, the restless and all-adapting mind of man has taken advantage, 

 and has diverted to his own service the wild destructive properties of the Chetah. In fact, man 

 lias established a kind of quadrupedal falconry, the Chetah taking the place of the hawk, and the 



