NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



in a bed of decaying leaves in the centre of a dense, 

 thorny thicket, or amongst the roots of a large 

 forest tree ; and at other times in fissures amongst 

 rocks, in caverns, or in holes under boulders in the 

 sides of scrub-covered kloofs. Occasionally the 

 rightful occupant of an Aard Vark hole is eaten, 

 and the hole utilised by these cats for the rearing 

 of a family. 



The number of kittens at a birth averages two 

 to three, but occasionally as many as five are born. 

 The mother is bold and fierce in defence of her 

 young, and if attacked by dogs, refuses to desert 

 her kittens, and sacrifices her life in their defence. 

 At these times she will even attack a man. 



The Rooi-kat is exceedingly agile, and rivals the 

 Serval in this respect. Stalking a game bird it 

 makes a rapid rush, and as the terrified bird rises 

 on the whig it leaps into the air after it to a height 

 of six or eight feet, and frequently succeeds in strik- 

 ing and securing it with its forepaws, which are 

 armed with sharp curved claws. Dashing suddenly 

 amongst a flock of birds, it usually succeeds in knock- 

 ing several down. 



A common but cruel amusement practised in 

 the past in India was to suddenly release a pair of 

 tame Caracals in a courtyard where a flock of pigeons 

 had gathered to feed upon corn scattered on the 

 ground. The cats would instantly dash among the 

 birds, and often struck down a score or more between 

 them. Bets were laid by the onlookers as to the 

 160 



