The Tiger. 11 



such success as to enable him to escape to ravines where 

 it would be madness to attempt pursuit. 



The Tiger is, however, such a formidable neighbour, 

 that, apart from the excitement of hunting him, the 

 natives of the countries which he inhabits have recourse 

 to various modes of killing him. In Persia a large and 

 strong wooden cage is often fastened firmly down to the 

 ground, in the vicinity of the Tiger's haunts, and in this 

 a man, accompanied by a dog or goat, to warn him of the 

 approach of the Tiger, takes up his quarters at night. 

 He is provided with a few strong spears, and when the 

 Tiger comes, and in endeavouring to reach the enclosed 

 prey rears himself against the cage, the man takes the 

 opportunity of stabbing him in a mortal part. In Oude 

 the peasants sometimes strew leaves smeared with bird- 

 lime in the Tiger's path, in order that as the animal 

 walks on them they may adhere to his feet; in his 

 efforts to disengage himself from these encumbrances ho 

 usually smears face and eyes with the sticky material, 

 or rolls himself among the treacherous leaves, until 

 finally becoming blinded and very uncomfortable he 

 gives vent to his dissatisfaction in the most dismal 

 howlings, which speedily bring his enemies about him, 

 when taking advantage of his helpless condition they 

 dispatch him without difficulty. The destruction of a 

 Tiger is handsomely rewarded by the Indian govern- 

 ments, and many of the people make a regular trade of 

 shooting them. 



