SMALLER CATS 59 



sinuous. He will seldom cross a piece of open ground 

 if, by making a detour, he can get to the other side under 

 cover of bushes or grass. When the moment for action 

 arrives, the latent strength concealed under the sleek 

 velvet-like exterior shows itself, and the lithe body, now 

 rigid as a bar of iron, is launched forward upon the 

 unsuspicious victim almost with the rapidity and accuracy 

 of a well-directed rifle bullet. 



When caught young these animals often become very 

 tame, showing much the same degree of affection, if 

 affection it can be called, as is displayed by^ domestic 

 cats ; but the wild nature is apt to show itself as the 

 beast increases in age and size, and it is then best dis- 

 posed of to the nearest zoological gardens or menagerie. 



CHAPTER VI 

 SMALLER CATS 



THE SERVAL. This very handsome cat ranges throughout 

 the whole continent of Africa wherever the situation is 

 suitable to its habits. 



It is a long-legged, light-bodied creature, having a 

 relatively short tail, a small head* and large ears. In 

 height it stands about twenty inches at the shoulder ; 

 its length being nearly twice as much, exclusive of the 

 tail, which measures about twelve- inches. It is hand- 

 somely marked with dark spots on a tawny groundwork ; 

 at the neck and shoulders these spots become lengthened 

 into stripes, while the fur underneath the body is longer 

 than that on the upper parts, and nearly white in colour. 

 Cases of melanism * are much more frequent than 

 amongst leopards. 



See note, p. 44. 



