444 CARNIVORES. 



this state be clipped, the under-fur will exhihit distinct spotting. According to 

 measurements given by Jerdon, an adult hunting-leopard has a total length of 

 about 7 feet, of whicli 2i feet are occupied by the tail: the height at the shoulder 

 vai'ies from 2i to 2 J feet. 



This animal is one of tbe few members of the family common to all Africa 

 and India : its range extending from Africa through Syria, Mesopotamia, and 

 Persia. It is not found in Bengal, nor on the Malabar coast, nor to the north- 

 ward of the Gange.s. It is also said to be unknown in Ceylon : ami, like all 

 the cats common to Africa and India, with the exception of the leopard, does not 

 occur to the ea.st of the Bay of Bengal. Some years ago Mr. Sclater described a 

 hunting-leopard from South Africa which difteretl from the ordinary form by its 

 stouter build, thicker tail, and more dense and woolly fur, the longest liairs occur- 

 ring on the neck, ears, and tail. The spots were also much paler, and the lines 

 between the eyes and the mouth absent. This "woolly liunting-leopard " was 

 regarded by its describer as a distinct species (C. laniiis), but several later writers 

 have been indispo.sed to admit it to this rank. 



We have but little information as to the distribution of the hunting-leopard in 

 Africa. The Hon. W. H. Dnimmond states, on the authority of the natives, that 

 in South-East Africa it is very rare, although found more commonly than elsewhei'e 

 in the i-ocky gorges of the Bombo Mountains, where it lies concealed in the dense 

 jungle, from which it occasionally A'entures forth on to the open plains. Its chief 

 prey consists of various species of antelopes. It is regarded as perfectly harmless, 

 and indeed cowardly, towards man. Both Mr. Drummond and his native hunters 

 appear to have often mistaken hunting - leopards for immature lionesses when 

 seen at a little distance on the sandy plains. To the natives of South-East Africa 

 the animal is known as the N'Gulule. 



In India our information with regard to hunting-leopards is much fuller, 

 owing to their being kept by many of the native princes for the purposes of sport, 

 which entails the necessity of careful observation of tiieir haunts and habits on 

 the part of those entrusted with their training ; and this more particularly as only 

 full-grown examples are captured, the belief among the natives of India being that 

 when captured as cubs they are of no use for sporting purposes. 



According to Mi-. Blanford, the principal haunt of the Indian hunting-leopard 

 " is in low, isolated, rocky hills, near the plains on which live antelopes, its principal 

 prey. It also kills gazelles, nilgai, and, doubtless, occasionally deer and other 

 animals. Instances also occur of slieep and goats being carried oti" by it, but it 

 rarely molests domestic animals, and has not been known to attack men. Its mode 

 of capturing its prey is to stalk up to within a moderate distance of between one 

 to two hundred yards, taking advantage of inequalities of the ground, bushes, or 

 other cover, and then to make a rush. Its speed for a short distance is remarkable — 

 far exceeding that of any other beast of prey, even of a greyhound or kangaroo- 

 hound, for no dog can at first overtake an Indian antelope or a gazelle, either of 

 wliicli is quickly run down by C. jubatus, if the start does not exceed about two 

 hundred yards. General jM'Master saw a very fine hunting-leopard catch a black- 

 buck that had about that start within four hundred j-ards. It is probable that for 

 a short distance the hunting-leopard is the swiftest of all mammals." 



