CHAPTER III. 



THE PANTHER. 



Felis Pardus. 



Generally throughout India— Shtfr—Gulddr Slier. In Central India— Tendzvd. In the 

 Himalayas — Chitd — Chitrd — Lagd bagd. 



It has long been a vexed question, both among naturalists and sportsmen, as to whether 

 the Panther and Leopard are distinct species ; and some writers have even gone so far as to 

 insist that there are at least three species of the large spotted cats which are as often called 

 by one English name as the other. 



I use the word Panther so as to prevent the possibility of confusion with the Hunting 

 Leopard or Chita {Felis jiibatd), which latter name is frequently wrongly applied to 

 the subject of the present chapter. 



The Panther — in all its varieties— is a true cat, and is furnished with retractile claws. 

 It stalks its prey and kills it by suddenly springing on it from some hiding place. The 

 Chita on the other hand, although it also stalks its game as far as possible, so as to place 

 itself in a favorable position, is enabled by its immense speed to run down the swiftest 

 animals. The paw of the cat would be ill adapted for this purpose, and accordingly we find 

 that the Chita's foot is more like that of the dog, and that the claws are only semi-retractile. 

 Panthers undoubtedly vary much, in size, color, markings, and — to a certain extent — in 

 habits ; and if the most widely differing specimens were only considered, two or more species 

 might be established with much show of reason. 



I have seen many specimens, both wild and in confinement ; I have inspected hundreds 

 of skins from various parts of India ; and I have heard or read most of the arguments in 

 favor of and against the theory that there is more than one species. And I have come to the 

 conclusion that there are not sufficient grounds for separating the Panthers or Leopards into 

 anything but varieties. Even the varieties are not, in my opinion, sufficiently defined to be 

 looked upon as permanent. 



The largest are eight feet long or more, and are sometimes nearly as powerfully made as 

 a small Tiger, and they exhibit their power by preying upon full grown cattle, horses, and even 

 buffaloes. These large Panthers have frequently light-colored skins, with rose-shaped spots 

 rather sparsely distributed ; the ground color of the skin forming a centre to each spot. 



Again, the smallest Panthers — or, as many would call them, Leopards — may be found 



