THE INDIAN ANTELOPE. j ig 



and accustom it to the presence of man, and to strange sights and sounds, and then to enter 

 it at captured Antelope under such circumstances that they will fall an easy prey. 



The Chita is invariably taken to the field on a light cart drawn by trotting bullocks, 

 and it is kept hooded until within a short distance of the quarry. 



The Chita is built for speed, and for a short distance it is probably the swiftest quad- 

 ruped in the world. It stands a little higher than an ordinary Panther, and the limbs are 

 long and slender, the hindlegs especially being remarkably lengthened, and the hocks well 

 let down. The head is small and round, and the jaws are somewhat short, while the teeth 

 are not so developed as in most carnivora. The foot is more like that of the dog than of the 

 cat, being small and upright ; while the claws are only semi-retractile. The body is slight 

 and greyhound-like, the loins, though powerful, being much ' tucked up.' 



The color is a reddish fawn, profusely dotted with round black spots. A singular dark 

 streak extends from the eye down the side of the cheek. The eyes are rather round, of a 

 brown color, and with a mild expression except when the animal is excited. The coat is 

 generally smooth and glossy, except on the lower parts, where it is considerably elongated 

 and of a much lighter tint ; and on the top of the neck and shoulders where there is a thin 

 upright mane, from whence the animal derives its specific name {Felts jubatus). The tail is 

 of great length, and slightly tufted at the end. 



It was not until quite recently that I had an opportunity of seeing a trained Chita at 

 work. Being stationed at Ferozpur during the hot weather of 1883 I obtained leave from 

 the Raja of Fan'dkot to shoot in his preserves, and he kindly sent out his Chita to the 

 shooting-box which he allowed us to occupy. 



Early one morning at the beginning of June, M. (a brother officer) and I rode out with the 

 Chita cart, and had not proceeded very far across the fields, which were then almost destitute 

 of vegetation, when some Black Buck were discovered in the distance. M. then took his 

 seat beside the keeper in the cart, while I rode alongside, taking care to keep the cart 

 between me and the Antelope. The herd had evidently been hunted before, and in spite of 

 careful manoeuvring would never allow us to approach within a hundred and fifty yards, 

 which the keeper considered too great a distance for a successful slip. Several other Ante- 

 lope were followed with a similar result, but at last a herd, that were grazing in a very rough 

 field, permitted the bullocks to trot up to within a hundred yards. The Chita was now 

 unhooded, and on catching sight of the game he sprang lightly from the cart, but instead of at 

 once giving chase, he walked quietly towards the Antelope, which, being now alarmed, were 

 rapidly increasing their distance. I began to think that he had no intention of pursuing, 

 and the Antelope were nearly two hundred yards off, when he gradually increased his speed, 

 and after a few strides bounded after them with such amazing velocity that in a few seconds 

 he was in the middle of the now flying herd. Passing several small ones, he singled out one 

 of the finest buck, and in less time than it takes to describe it buck and Chita rolled over 

 in a cloud of dust. The chase had not extended much over three hundred yards. 



Galloping to the spot, I found the buck lying on his back, while the Chita crouched 

 quietly by him, with his fangs buried in the throat. The keeper quickly came up, terminated 



