59° 



Great and Small Game of Africa 



cats, for they seldom show much fight, and have but little power of defence. 

 Any modified express rifle of .450 bore will account for them. They 

 rarely come to a bait, but, if their kill is found, can be shot at it. 



F. Vaughan Kirby. 



THE CIVETS 



Family Viverrid^. Genus Viverra 



The members of this extensive family, the majority of which are com- 

 paratively small animals, are near allies of the cats, but have, for the most 

 part, longer heads and bodies, shorter limbs, and a larger number of cheek- 

 teeth, among which the carnassials are usually of a less scissor-like type, 

 the lower one having a grinding surface behind the blade. Scent-glands 

 are very frequently developed. With the exception of the Malagasy fossa, 

 the civets of the genus Viverra are the largest members of the family, and 

 may be recognised by their digitigrade limbs, partially retractile claws, 

 the long and loose fur, the presence of a black gorget on the throat, and 

 generally of a crest of long hairs down the back. The only Ethiopian 

 member of the genus is the African civet (V. civettd). There are, indeed, 

 numerous other African representatives of the family belonging to distinct 

 genera, but none of these can in any sense be entitled to rank as game 

 worthy of the sportsman's notice. 



The African Civet {Viverra civetta) 



This civet is a denizen of tropical Africa. It is but little known to 

 sportsmen, who, to speak truly, scarcely look upon it as much worthier 

 quarry than the lesser Viverridce, which are classed together as vermin 

 pure and simple. However, the civet, from its size, and some lingering 



