464 RECORDS OF BIG GAME 



LEOPARD (Felis pardus). 



The leopard has an even larger range than the lion, and is probably 

 the most widely distributed of all the cats. Sportsmen in India 

 recognise a larger " panther " and a smaller " leopard," although 

 naturalists fail to distinguish them as separate forms. The African 

 and Indian leopards are also generally regarded as identical, but since 

 the former has the spots on the body of smaller size than in the latter, 

 and many of them without light centres, like those on the head, it 

 is quite probable that it constitutes a different race. In Persia, 

 Baluchistan, and the mountains of Sind is found a variety of the 

 leopard {F. pardiis tulliand) characterised by its pale colour, long fur, 

 and thick tail ; it is to some extent intermediate between the typical 

 race and the ounce. Lastly, there is the Chinese leopard {F. pardus 

 fontanieri), a very distinct animal, of heavy build, with a pale ground- 

 colour to the fur, which is very long and thick, and the spots in the 

 form of large complete rings, without any smaller spots in the centre. 

 In the moist forest districts of Asia black leopards are by no means 

 uncommon ; and there is a tendency to darkening of a different type 

 in some South African specimens. Height at shoulder from about 2 

 feet (India) to 2 feet 4 inches (Africa). A large leopard killed by 

 Lieut-Col. L. L. Fenton in the Gir forest, Kathiawar, measured 7 feet 

 8-g- inches in length ; the length of the tail being 35^ inches, the girth 

 of the neck 21^ inches, of the forearm 11^ inches, and of the body 

 behind the shoulder 35^ inches ; weight, 160 lbs. 

 Distribution. — Africa, the Caucasus, Asia Minor, and Asia generally, 



with the exception of Northern Siberia, the Tibetan plateau, and 



perhaps Japan. 



a. — Indian Specimens. 



Length from tip of nose to end of tail 

 ,, root of tail 



Height at shoulder 

 Girth . 



Circumference of upper arm . 

 , , forearm 



Shot in Ceylon by Count Scheibler. 



