THE LEOPARD 55 



Another way of hunting tigers is to build a small platform or 

 mackan in the branches of a tree by the side of a path along which 

 these animals are accustomed to pass. On this the hunter takes 

 up his post at nightfall, and remains watching until daybreak in 

 the hope of obtaining a shot. Sometimes this mackan is con- 

 structed near the body of an animal which the tiger has killed and 

 only partly devoured. The sportsman knows that " Mr. Stripes " 

 is almost certain to return to his feast. In other cases a goat 

 or buffalo is tied up near the mackan to serve as a bait for the 

 tiger. 



In the dense jungles of Mysore, through which it is impossible 

 for the beaters to make their way, the tiger is usually destroyed by 

 means of stout netting, wherewith the thicket in which the animal 

 has taken up its abode is carefully inclosed. The tiger is then 

 driven from his retreat by means of rockets, and attempts to dash 

 through the netting, in the meshes of which he soon becomes 

 entangled, and is then easily killed. 



A fourth way of destroying this animal is much more singular. 

 A number of large broad leaves are smeared with bird-lime and 

 scattered in the animal's path. When the tiger comes to the spot, 

 he treads upon one of these leaves, and, finding that it adheres to 

 his foot, tries to rub it off against his head. The only result of this 

 proceeding, of course, is to cover his ears, eyes, nose, and mouth 

 with the glutinous substance. Meanwhile he has trodden upon 

 more leaves, of which he tries to rid himself in the same manner. 

 And before very long the poor animal, blinded and bewildered, is 

 entirely at the mercy of his enemies. This method of destroying 

 the tiger is mentioned in old books, but does not seem to have 

 been employed during recent years. 



THE LEOPARD 



The Leopard or Panther is inferior to the Tiger in size and in 

 brute strength, but it is quite as cunning and far more active, and 

 probably does even more damage. Like the tiger and the lion, the 

 leopard resembles a huge cat, and it shares with them and the rest 



