THE QUINGOMBfi LEOPARD 97 



new village in a shadeless site in scrub jungle. 

 The afternoon was spent hunting to the south-west 

 of Quingombe, where we saw T much spoor but no 

 sable. 



A leopard had been taking weekly toll of the 

 calves, goats, and dogs of Quingombe, and the 

 villagers asked me to shoot the marauder, a 

 powerful beast of whom they were very frightened. 

 That evening a platform was built in a tree, and 

 a goat borrowed to serve as bait. 



To those who do not know the scheme of night 

 watching for leopards, it may be explained that 

 the best way to get a shot at these cunning animals 

 is to tie up a goat or dog below a watching plat- 

 form, and near a path the leopard uses in his 

 nightly prowls ; for all carnivora prefer to follow 

 paths rather than leave them for the leaf- covered 

 ground of the bush, where their footfall might be 

 heard. 



For a village-hunting leopard, it is better to 

 watch near the village itself ; for he is less sus- 

 picious in the scene of his former murders, and 

 the bait, be it goat or dog, if he can hear his mates, 

 will keep calling out to them. A white or light- 

 coloured animal is more readily seen at night than 

 one of a colour which could be confused with that 

 of the leopard, and shot in mistake for it, a not 

 unusual occurrence. On a moonlight night, a 

 piece of cotton-wool, or phosphorescent paint on 

 the foresight, is enough to ensure good sighting. 

 On a dark night, an electric light attached to the 

 hat, a dry battery in the pocket, and switch on the 

 rifle near the trigger, is my own device for shooting. 

 7 



