SHOOTING A LEOPARD IN A TREE 



WHILE the tiger as a rule prefers the grass jungle as his place of concealment, it is the under- 

 woods, especially on the low shelving banks of rivers, that are most frequented by the leopard. 

 There skulking, it waits for any small game that may come in its way, and carries off sheep, 

 goats, or poultry that may be imprudent or unfortunate enough to wander in its neighbourhood. 

 Cattle of any size it rarely attacks, and, unless wounded, will avoid men. More subtle than 

 the tiger, it is at the same time more ravenous. It is also more vindictive. Tigers have been 

 known to be reared in a domestic state, and to become subject to man's control ; but whatever 

 care may be taken in taming a leopard, its treacherous nature is sure, sooner or later, to break 

 out. When pursued, it will rarely show fight. If tracked so closely that escape by conceal- 

 ment is impossible, it will seek safety by springing into a tree rather than turn and face its 

 pursuers with the noble wrath of the tiger. Such is the case in the present illustration. The 

 line of elephants and the attendant beaters have cut off all retreat. The dogs, of which it 

 would make short work if there were no sportsmen in the background, are yelping at its heels. 

 But amid the stately mango-trees all round there may still be a chance of escape, and with cat- 

 like activity the beast is quickly up the trunk, trusting under the cover of the foliage to crawl 



