(54 PANTHERS. 



the sport being conducive to close quarters, among heaps 

 of boulders or large rocks, under which he is much given 

 to squatting, and where he may be approached to within 

 a few yards, care being taken to be out of reach of the 

 final spring, which usually follows the shot. The line 

 of his body will indicate the direction of this, and with a 

 shell or an express bullet, the aim need not necessarily be 

 very true, owing to the great expansion of the projectile 

 after impact or explosion. A side shot is the best position, 

 as the brain offers a larger surface ; if it is missed the shot 

 may smash the spine, and the final spring will be clear of 

 the sportsman. Nearly half my panthers and leopards 

 were obtained thus. The panther proper must, however, 

 be recognised on such occasions as the dangerous brute 

 that he really is, and his attack must be as carefully 

 conducted as if he were a tiger. 



CHARGE OF THE LOASHERA PANTHER. 



