414 



CARNIVORES. 



tively common. In a black skin from South Africa in the British Museum the 

 spots are distinctly visible when the skin is viewed in certain lights. 



Omitting mention of certain little-known species of cats from Western Africa, 

 such as the golden-haired cat (Felis rutila) of Sierra Leone and the Gambia, the 



THE SERVAL (J nat. size). 



grey African cat (F. neglecta) from the Gambia, and the servaline cat (F. servalina) 

 from Sierra Leone, we proceed to the consideration of two small Asiatic species. 



THE RUSTY-SPOTTED CAT (Felis rubiginosa). 



It is somewhat remarkable that as India is inhabited by the two largest living 

 representatives of the Cat family, so it also includes the smallest member of the 

 group. The species which has the honour of occupying the latter position is the 

 pretty little animal known as the rusty-spotted cat, which is of somewhat smaller 

 dimensions than an average domestic cat. Its general ground-colour is ruddy-grey, 

 passing into white below, while the body and limbs, but not the tail, are spotted. 



