THE ANIMALS OF NORTHERN AFRICA 



In all such diverse stations lions lead a nocturnal life, and are but seldom seen 

 by day, when they take their rest, either in high grass or among thickets and 

 bushes. At sunset they start on the prowl, when they make themselves heard to a 

 greater or less degree according to the state of the weather. It is during dark and 



stormy nights that they are 

 most daring and venturesome; 

 and they are much more de- 

 liberate and cautious in moon- 

 light, especially when visiting 

 their drinking-places. Under 

 all circumstances they are, how- 

 ever, in the habit of roaring 

 loudly and repeatedly, in which 

 respect they differ markedly 



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NORTH AFRICAN LION. 



from all the other members of the cat tribe, which are comparatively silent 

 animals. 



Some travellers state the lion's roar is terrifying only if heard amid pouring 

 rain which extinguishes the camp-fire, on a dark, stormy night, lit up by dazzling 

 lightning, with no chance of mounting a tree ; and that no one sitting comfortably 

 in a house, or beneath the tented roof of an ox-cart, would ever be startled by such 

 a roar. It has, moreover, been definitely asserted that a European is able to distill- 



