NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



grassy veld, except in the vicinity of bushy cover, 

 into which it always raced when startled. 



It is a night prowler by habit, and rests during 

 the day in the midst of masses of undergrowth or 

 in whatever suitable cover the nature of its habitat 

 affords. I have frequently found it on the branches 

 or in the hollow interiors of large forest trees. 



The Serval is remarkable for its fleetness, but, 

 like the Chita, it cannot keep up a high degree of 

 speed for long. It progresses in great bounds, 

 often springing clear of the long grass and stubbly 

 bushes. It is strictly carnivorous, and in South 

 Africa it levies a heavy toll upon the smaller bush 

 antelopes. Tree Dassies, and various kinds of rodent 

 animals. Birds both large and small, as well as 

 their young, fall victims to this active cat. 



Although the Serval destroys considerable num- 

 bers of game animals and birds, yet it performs 

 excellent service for man in destroying rats, mice, 

 and that destructive animal known as the " Cane 

 Rat," which scientifically is not a rat at all. 



In the wild condition the Serval is shy, timid, 

 and secretive, and rarely shows itself by day unless 

 driven forth from its lair by dogs. In these cases 

 it invariably takes refuge in a tree, and remains at 

 bay, snarUng and hissing. So excessively timid 

 is this cat that one day when walking in a forest 

 in Natal I disturbed one of them in the act of 

 chasing a little Blue Buck. My terrier dog gave 

 chase, and the cat, in the extremity of its terror, 



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