54 



MAMMALIA-ORDER IV.-CARNIVCRA. 



pounds after losing about a gallon of blood, so that its whole weight was 

 probably about 447 pounds. Of course, much depends upon how fat the 

 animal is at the time of its death. Sir S. Baker estimating that, while a very 

 fine tiger in average condition will weigh some 440 pounds, the same animal, 

 when unusually fat, will scale 500 pounds. If, however, a tiger just under 

 10 feet in length will weigh about 500 pounds, it may be safely assumed that 

 an 11 or 12 feet example in similar condition will considerably exceed this 

 weight, and it is, therefore, probable that the maximum weight attained by 

 the tiger has yet to be recorded. It is accordingly earnestly to be desired 

 that sportsmen will not only measure, but will likewise weigh any unusually 

 large tigers they may have the good fortune to kill. 



Those who have the opportunity of seeing an attack by a tiger on large 

 animals like buffalo or gaur, which he is unable to overthrow, will do good 

 service if they can throw any light on the mode of attack in those instances 

 where the prey is hamstrung. Mr. Blanford considers that in this occasional 

 mode of attack the hamstringing is probably effected by a blow from the 

 claws, and states that he has known two instances where buffaloes were left 

 hamstrung by tigers. This mode of attack being apparently very rare, will 

 of course be seldom seen by European eyes, so that should it come under 

 notice a record will be of extreme value. 



As a rule, however, it is believed that a tiger seizes large animals by the 

 fore -quarters, throwing one paw over the shoulder, and attacking the throat 

 with the jaws ; a sudden upward wrench, during which the destroyer often 

 springs to the opposite side of his victim, serving to dislocate the neck. On 

 the other hand, some writers are of opinion that the tiger first seizes the 

 animal by the back of the neck. Thus Sir S. Baker writes that " the attack 

 of a large tiger is terrific, and the effect may well be imagined of an animal of 

 such vast muscular proportions, weighing between 400 and 500 pounds, spring- 

 ing with great velocity and exerting its momentum at the instant that it 

 seizes a bullock by the neck. It is supposed by the natives that the tiger, 



when well fastened upon the 

 crest, by fixing its teeth in the 

 back of the neck at the firsh 

 onset, continues its spring, s<? 

 as to pass over the animal 

 attacked. This wrenches the 

 neck suddenly round, and as 

 the animal struggles, the dis- 

 location is easily effected ; the 

 tiger then changes the hold 

 to underneath the throat, and 

 drags the body to some con- 

 venient retreat, where the meal 

 may be commenced in security. 

 With very few exceptions, the 

 tiger breaks the neck of every 

 animal it kills." 



Another observer, Mr. Mervyn Smith, who had the good fortune to see two 

 buffaloes killed by a tiger, writes as follows : " The animals, when first seen 

 by me, were about a hundred yards off, and a little to my left front. There 

 was a distance of perhaps ten yards between them. I noticed the farthest 

 buffalo suddenly stumble and fall, as I thought, but it did net rise again ; its 



Fig. 31. THE TIGER. 



