THE TIGER. 27 
granted, that in the superior lightness of his frame, which 
allows his natural agility its free and unrestricted scope, 
and in the graceful ease and spirited activity of his 
motions, to say nothing of the beauty, the regularity, 
and the vividness of his colouring, he far excels his 
competitor, whose giant bulk and comparative heaviness 
of person, added to the dull uniformity of his colour, 
detract in no small degree from the impression produced 
by his noble and majestic bearing. 
In comparing the moral qualities of these two formi- 
dable animals, we shall also find that the shades of 
difference, for at most they are but shades, which distin- 
guish them, are, like their external characteristics, pretty 
equally balanced in favour of each. In all the leading 
features of their character, the habits of both are essen- 
tially the same. ‘The Tiger, equally with the Lion, and 
in common indeed with the whole of the group to which 
he belongs, reposes indolently in the security of his den, 
until the calls of appetite stimulate him to look abroad 
for food. He then chooses a convenient ambush, in 
which to lie concealed from observation, generally amid 
the underwood of the forest, but sometimes even on the 
branches of a tree, which he climbs with all the agility 
of a cat. In this secret covert he awaits with patient 
watchfulness the approach of his prey, upon which he 
darts forth with an irresistible bound, and bears it off in 
triumph to his den. Unlike the Lion, however, if his 
first attack proves unsuccessful, and he misses his aim, 
he does not usually slink sullenly back into his retreat, 
but pursues his victim with a speed and activity which 
is seldom bafiled even by the fleetest animals. 
It is only when this close and covert mode of attack 
