26 MAMMALIA. [Cuap. I. 
tion of their cattle by these formidable marauders. In 
relation to them, the natives have a curious but firm 
LEOPARD AND CHEETAH. 
conviction that when a bullock is killed by a leopard, 
and, in expiring, falls so that its right side is under- 
most, the leopard will not return to devour it. I have 
been told by English sportsmen (some of whom share 
in the popular belief), that sometimes, when they have 
proposed to watch by the carcase of a bullock recently 
killed by a leopard, in the hope of shooting the spoiler 
on his return in search of his prey, the native owner of 
the slaughtered animal, though earnestly desiring to be 
avenged, has assured them that it would be in vain, as, 
the beast having fallen on its right side, the leopard 
would not return. 
