CATS GREAT AND SMALL 14 1 



Although it does not possess the remarkable tusk-like teeth of its 

 extinct ancestor, the Sabre-Toothed Tiger shown in Plate XL, it is 

 riot difficult to realize, even when looking at a living specimen kept 

 in captivity, the poor chance of escape when man happens to get 

 within striking distance of this handsome monarch of the jungle. 

 The strong jaws, powerful limbs and remarkable paws are worthy 

 of note, whilst the quiet movements and general lissome appearance 

 are also of interest. 



In its native wilds the Tiger manages to choose a haunt which is 

 not far removed from water, and it is a good swimmer. In India 

 it is more common to-day than in times gone by, and evidence points 

 to the fact that it reached the Indian Empire from other parts of Asia. 

 Whilst the Lion has diminished its range in India, the Tiger has 

 increased, yet it has not managed to reach Ceylon, and although 

 frequenting such cold climates outside India, it does not appear to 

 have penetrated the Himalaya Mountains notwithstanding its power 

 of enduring cold. 



It is a lover of the forest, of nocturnal habits, and usually of a 

 solitary disposition. When attacking its prey it makes for the neck 

 in the same way as the Lion, and afterwards commences to feed upon 

 the hind-quarters. Large beasts are as a rule attacked, including 

 Cattle, but the Tiger, when driven to hard straits, is not at all par- 

 ticular as to its diet, and will condescend to eat even frogs and 

 locusts. So long as it restricts its attention to wild animals all is 

 well, for these themselves are very destructive to growing crops, but 

 the moment it attacks cattle or becomes a man-eater, it is a terrible 

 scourge which must be got rid of at all costs. 



Authentic records are forthcoming of Tigers eating one another; 

 of attacking such prey as Elephants and Bears, and its own cubs 

 are on occasions devoured. Being more solitary than the Lion, it is 

 naturally enough less sociable. It does not make its presence known 

 by roaring to the same extent as its rival among the great Cats, but 

 when it does give vent to its feelings the voice is not unlike that 

 of the King of Beasts. 



Tiger-hunting is carried out either by the sportsman being 

 mounted on an Elephant, or secreted in a tree-top near the animal's 

 lair, where he waits an opportunity for a shot as the monarch 

 approaches a bait put out for it, such as a young Buffalo or, Bullock. 



Mr. G. P. Sanderson, in his Thirteen Years Among the Wild 

 Beasts of India, gives many graphic accounts of adventures with 



