22 CAKNIVOROUS QUADRUPEDS. 



No. XIX. 



THE commencement of such A CABNIVOKOUS FEAST, where the TIGEB has seized and 

 slain not a wild Buffalo, but a BULLOCK, from the tame herds of Hindostan. As the cattle 

 descend toward the river to drink, their crafty enemy lies in ambush among the jungle, or 

 creeps along cautiously ' and unseen; and, watching a favourable opportunity, makes his 



murderous spring. 



Althouo-h WILLIAMSON corroborates MK. BEWICK'S account of the Tiger's fondness of 



O 



human flesh, he does not agree to that of its fearlessness. On the contrary, he thinks that on 

 occasions where Tigers have seemed fearless, momentary anguish or resentment, has been their 

 real stimulus ; and adds, that " the Tiger is, of all beasts of prey, the most cowardly ; its treacherous 

 disposition induces it, almost without exception, to conceal itself until its prey may arrive within 

 reach of its spring, be its victim either bulky or diminutive. Size seems to occasion no deviation 

 in the Tiger's system of attack, which is founded on the art of surprising. We find, accordingly, 

 that such as happen to keep the opposite side of a road, by which they are somewhat beyond the 

 the first spring-, often escape injury; the Tiger being unwilling to be seen before he is felt. Hence 

 it is rarely that a Tiger pursues ; but, if the situation permit, his cunning will not fail to effect his 

 purpose, he will steal along the road-side among the bushes parallel with the traveller's course, 

 until one of the many chances which present themselves of finding him within reach, induces to 

 the attack. Often, where the country is rather too open to allow his proceeding- in this manner, 

 the Tiger will take a sweep among underwood or through ravines, in order to meet the traveller 

 again at a spot whence he may make his spring. 



"Tigers are extremely partial to such sites as command a road, selecting one rather 

 less frequented, in preference to one that is much in use. In the former, they are certain of 

 finding as much as will answer their daily wants. If, however, the haunt be on a public road, it 

 is usually at some spot abounding with grass or bushes, especially the prauss, and in the vicinity 

 of some ample cover supplied with water, to which the prey can be dragged. There, in some low, 

 opake spot, the sanguinary meal is consummated in gloomy silence. 



" It should be observed, that for the most part the Tiger chooses his station on that side of 

 the road which is opposite to his haunt ; so that, when he seizes his prey, he proceeds straight 

 forward, without having occasion to turn, and thus drags it across mostly at a trot. If he missos 

 his aim, he will rarely return, unless attacked ; but, in a sullen manner, either skulks through 

 the cover ; or, if the country be not sufficiently close to conceal his motions, he moves on at a 

 canter." 



