THE STORY OF THE LION. 



119 



oak forests to feed on acorns. In India, the lion usually feeds on deer, 

 antelope, wild pigs, cattle, horses, donkeys and camels. In Africa, they prey 

 upon antelopes, zebras, quaggas, buffaloes and giraffes. 



Were a zebra, a fat rhinoceros and a fat buffalo' tO' be killed and left out 

 it is probable that they would be eaten in the order I have named. Soft 

 succulent fat is what the lion probably considers most toothsome, and zebras 

 supply this in a higher degree than any other animal, save the rhinoceros 

 and the hippopotamus, neither of which it is able to kill; but on the other 

 hand, the zebra confines itself to the open, as far as possible, never approaches 

 within springing distance of a thicket, and rarely, unless when going tO' water, 

 gives the lion a chance. Buffaloes, on the other hand, are nearly always 



LION CUBS THAT LOOK LIKE LAMBS. 



in and close to cover, presenting continual opportunities for a successful 

 stalk ; and though the danger in attacking them is much greater, as is proved 

 by the no means rare instances of lions being maimed, and even killed in 

 such contests, yet for the above reason they form their chief food. 



It must not, however, be supposed that lions by any means restrict them- 

 selves to the flesh of animals which have fallen to their own attacks. In 

 addition to eating the flesh of animals recently killed by hunters, lions will 

 alsoi prey upon carcasses in an advanced state of decomposition. When 

 elephants have been shot, lions will prey upon the carcasses as they lie festering 



