66 



NATURAL HISTORY, 



THE EYRA.* 



This is by far the most beautiful of all the smaller one-coloured Cats (see next page). The beauty 

 of its rich chestnut hide, and the extreme elegance of its form, quite incline one to assign to it the palm 

 for beauty, even in presence of such splendidly-marked forms as the Ocelot. The specimen in the 

 London Zoological Gardens is a most delightful animal. It is slightly smaller than an ordinary Cat, 

 and much less in height, owing to the shortness of its legs, in comparison with which the body is of 

 great length ; so that one at first sight instinctively compares it with a Weasel, to which, however, it 

 has really no relationship whatever. Its neck is long, its head small, and curiously flattened from 

 above downwards, almost like an Otter's, and its tail long and well shaped. Its movements are almost 



Snake-like, so continuously does it twist and turn its long lithe body. In its sanguinary habits and 

 mode of life it does not differ in any important respect from the Jaguarondi, with which it also agrees 

 in its geographical distribution. It is, however, a much rarer animal. 



Mr. Bartlett informs us that he has kept the Eyra in his house, and that it made a most 

 charming pet. Brehm also mentions two domesticated individuals which were on very good terms 

 with the Cats and Dogs in the house, and were particularly friendly with a Monkey, who did them 

 the kind office of catching their fleas. 



THE SERVAL.f 



The Serval, or African Tiger-Cat, is found over the greater part of Africa, being specially 

 abundant in the south, but extending also as far north as Algeria. It especially frequents the 

 extensive grassy plains or steppes, where it lives upon Antelopes and other game. 



Its legs are proportionally much longer and the tail much shorter than those of most of the true 



* Felis eyra. 



f Felis serval. 



