188 THE LEOPARD 



The habits of the leopard are not unlike those 

 of his relative the lion, except that he rarely, so 

 far as 1 am aware, becomes an habitual man- 

 eater, and is not given to attacking human beings 

 unless wounded or otherwise provoked. Once 

 brought to bay, however, he is a most dangerous 

 animal, and will charge his assailant with the 

 utmost courage and resolution frequently in cases 

 where the lion would retire. His wonderful 

 quickness, tremendous energy, and extraordinary 

 bodily strength combine to make his attack far 

 more feared than is that of the lion, and I consider 

 it probable that, in a given number, more fatal 

 mishaps have resulted from the charge of the 

 leopard than from that of the larger beast. 



Nothing can exceed his cool, calculated ac- 

 ceptance of risks such as few others of the carni- 

 vora would take. Thus in Central Africa, in the 

 early morning, I have frequently seen the spoor of 

 leopards on the garden paths all round my small 

 bungalow, and have even traced them upon the 

 planking of the lower verandas. Small dogs, in 

 country where these animals are numerous, should 

 never be allowed to wander about after sunset. 

 So noiseless is the prowling leopard's attack, and 

 so rapid and business-like his subsequent proceed- 

 ings, that frequently the life of the unfortunate 

 terrier is choked from it before the victim has 

 even time to utter a parting yelp. 



More than once has every inmate of my goat- 

 houses and fowl-runs been savagely and ruthlessly 

 destroyed. In these cases a blind, furious lust 

 for slaughter seems to take possession of the in- 



