20 DAYS AND NIGHTS BY THE DESERT. 



fully defined ; orange and white blotches, about the 

 size of -a lady's finger-point, are also to be found 

 upon this animal's cheeks, which, far from looking 

 out of place, give a most finished appearance to its 

 tout ensemble. 



I have only' met the bay cat (Felis auratci] 



T . - ''--'-, 



once before in Africa, and it occurred to the north 



and east of Walwich Bay. It was a larger specimen 

 than that just killed, but in nothing like such good 

 condition. Although these animals are scarce in 

 the^ locality in which I am at present hunting, they 

 are' very 'common in the heavy-timbered lands north 

 of the Portuguese settlement of St. Paul de Loanda, 

 where they are said to commit considerable damage 

 among the native children, their choice selection 

 being little girls of tender years. Thus this animal 

 not only is a man-eater, but an epicure. Whether 

 this failing be true or not, I cannot say ; but if it be 

 remembered how the native women leave their off- 

 spring lying about while they are working in the 

 fields, great temptations are certainly thrown in this 

 beast's way. As to the cat's choice of little girls, 

 I suppose they might be more toothsome than boys ; 

 but, in my belief, this is not the cause of their being 

 selected, but, from their squalling more than the 

 other sex when deposited under a bush by their 

 unnatural parents, they more attract the attention 

 of a prowler to their vicinity. Certain it is, if this 

 animal is so disposed, it could easily carry off a 



