vin THE LEOPARD 169 



hunting leopard is the fastest animal in the world, as it can over- 

 take upon open ground the well-known black-buck, which surpasses 

 in speed the highest bred English greyhound. I have never had 

 experience of this animal in a wild state ; those I have known were 

 as gentle as dogs. It is a common mistake to suppose that they 

 invariably approach their game by a stealthy stalk, followed by a 

 few tremendous bounds, only to slink back if disgraced by defeat. 

 I have seen them run a long course in the open, exactly like a grey- 

 hound, although the pace and action have resembled the long swing- 

 ing gallop of a monkey. The nature of this beautiful creature is 

 entirely opposed to the cat-like crouching tactics of the ordinary 

 leopard : its large and prominent eyes embrace a wide field of view ; 

 the length of neck and legs, combined with the erect attitude of the 

 head, denotes the character of the animal, as it includes a vast 

 distance in its gaze, showing that it seeks its game upon a wide 

 expanse of plain, instead of surprising the prey by an unexpected 

 and treacherous attack. This is the only species that is a useful 

 companion to man when engaged in field sports ; and the native 

 princes of India have from time immemorial been accustomed to 

 train the Felis jubata for hunting deer and antelopes, precisely as 

 European nations have adopted the greyhound for the coursing of 

 hares. 



The Guikwar of Baroda possesses first-class hunting leopards, 

 and I had an opportunity of witnessing many good hunts when 

 enjoying his hospitality at Dubka in 1880. The whole of that 

 country is rich alluvial soil, which produces vast agricultural 

 wealth. The fields are divided by exceedingly thin live fences 

 formed by a species of Euphorbia ; the country being flat, it 

 affords the perfection of ground for riding, therefore such sport 

 as pig-sticking or coursing may be enjoyed to the fullest extent. 

 During our visit the Guikwar had most kindly arranged every 

 kind and style of sport, including a pack of hounds, half a dozen 

 well-trained cheetahs (hunting leopards), and a posse of hawks 

 and falcons with their numerous attendants. The position of 

 Dubka was supposed to be most favourable for a hunting centre, 

 about 18 miles from the capital Baroda. There was a large 

 palace for the Guikwar, and a convenient bungalow for his 

 friends, situated about 30 yards from the cliff, which, 100 feet 

 above the stream, commanded an imposing view of the river ; 

 this flowed beneath, about -| mile in width during flood-time, but 

 was now reduced to 300 or 400 yards in the dry season. A few 

 miles from the bungalow there was a magnificent country for the 

 cheetahs, as the ground, having been subject to inundations, was 



