NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 77 
Naturally, the Leopard preys upon smaller animals 
than those most sought by the lion and tiger. It prefers 
small antelopes, and young animals generally, goats and 
sheep. When pursued, it is very skilful in hiding, and will 
shelter in brushy cover until fairly beaten out. 
The Black Leopard is the most ill-tempered of all feline 
animals—perpetually snarling and growling, and seeking to 
do some one an injury. Naturalists regard it as of the 
same species as the common leopard, (Felis pardus), despite 
the fact that it is found only in southeastern Asia, and 
both in appearance and disposition is totally different 
from the typical pardus. With but few exceptions, the 
world’s supply of Black Leopards comes from Singapore. 
The Cheetah, or Hunting Leopard, (Cynaelurus jubatus), 
is marked by its long legs, slender body, small head, small 
spots, and claws that are only partially retractile. Its 
structure suggests that of the dogs. It is distributed very 
irregularly through portions of Africa and southern Asia, 
and is by no means a common animal like the leopard and 
tiger. 
In central India, this animal is trained tv hunt the sasin 
antelope, a form of sport indulged in chiefly by native ra- 
jahs. The Cheetah takes kindly to captivity, and permits 
_handling to an extent quite unknown with other large 
felines. Its. keepers place the animal upon an open cart, 
blindfold it, and then drive to within 200 yards of a herd of 
antelope. At the point of nearest possible approach, the 
hood is removed, and the animal is set free. Leaping to the 
ground, the Cheetah stalks the herd of antelope as closely as 
possible, then makes a sudden rush forward, and endeavors 
to seize a victim. If successful, the animal is pulled down 
and killed. If not, the Cheetah sullenly retires, and again 
places itself in the hands of its friends. 
The Snow Leopard, or Ounce, (Felis uncia), is the rarest, 
and also one of the most beautiful of all the large felines. 
It inhabits the high plateau of central Asia from the Hima- 
layas to the Altai Mountains of Mongolia, above 9,000 feet. 
It is the neighbor of the Marco Polo sheep, the giant- 
horned argali, and the Siberian ibex. . In its home country, 
this creature is sufficiently numerous that 2,000 tanned skins 
sometimes reach Shanghai in a single year, but owing to its 
great distance from railways and sea, not more than fifteen 
or twenty specimens have reached the zoological gardens of 
Europe and America. Some individuals are good-natured 
and playful, but others are morose. 
