134 



Carnivora Pissipedia. 



The Hunting Leopard, (Felis-jubata), has a smaller 

 and shorter head than the Common Leopard; but is 

 longer bodied, and stands higher, though otherwise it is 

 about the same size. Its nails are not retractile. The fur 

 is fawn colored, mottled with uniform black spots ; and it 

 lias a black stripe on each side of the face, reaching from 

 the eye to the end of the mouth. The disposition of this 

 animal is mild and docile, and its name indicates the 

 purpose for which it is mostly used. 



Chitah 



The Chitah or Hunting Leopard, takes kindly to cap- 

 tivity, and permits handling to a greater extent than 

 any other large feline. In : the middle ages the Chitah 

 was used in Prance to stalk the Roebucks and hares, and 

 in India it is still trained, to hunt the Antelope. It is 

 drawn blindfolded , on . a cart to a spot within a few hun- 

 dred yards of a herd of antelope, when the bandage is 

 removed from its eyes the Chitah singles out some animal 

 in the herd, and approaching it by bounds seizes it and 

 pulls it down. 



The Leopards all have a peculiar habit of watching; 

 and all the species and varieties of this animal have the 

 cat habit of sharpening their claws against the trees. 



