THE SERVAL, OR MARAPUTE. (Felis Galeopardus, Des.) 



The serval inhabits the mountainous parts of Malabar, 

 Senegal, India, and Thibet, residing chiefly in trees. 



In the size and shape of its body, and in the shortness of 

 its tail, it resembles the lynx. The general colour is a pale 

 fulvous yellow on the back and sides, covered with small 

 round spots, equally divided over the whole surface, except on 

 the middle of the back, where they are disposed in four rows : 

 the breast and belly are entirely white j the eyes are very 

 brilliant, and have a wild and piercing look ; and the whiskers, 

 or feelers, are very long, stiff, and nearly straight. Some 

 specimens have the tail spotted, and others annulated with 

 black. 



It preys upon rabbits and young antelopes, but more espe- 

 cially upon squirrels and birds, which it pursues with great 

 agility from tree to tree. Man it never assaults, but rather 

 endeavours to avoid j if, however, it is provoked to an attack, 

 it darts furiously on him, and bites and tears as desperately 

 as any of the cat tribe. 



It makes a bed in trees for the reception of its young. In 

 our menageries the serval is a rare animal, being seldom brought 

 over to this country. 



