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CHAPTER IV. 



THE TIGER {FELIS TIGRIS). 



From the Lions we turn naturally to the Tigers, for if the lions are to 

 be regarded as the chiefs of their order, tigers must certainly be 

 looked upon as the most typical specimens of the cat family, as these 

 animals combine in the most strongly marked manner all the 

 characteristics peculiar to the feline group, being cat-like in all 

 their actions and habits ; which fact, in conjunction with their 

 strength of limb, makes them the most dangerous and destructive 

 of all wild beasts. 



The first thing noticeable about the tiger is its grand colouring 

 and vivid marking. The bright rufous fawn-colour forming the 

 groundwork of the head, legs, and upper part of the body ; the 

 black or dark stripes that vertically mark the back, limbs, tail, 

 and trunk, varying from twenty to thirty on each side, and form- 

 ino- the letter " W " on the face over the eyes, together with the 

 remarkable purity of the whites that shade the forehead, throat, 

 and ventral parts, all tend to give him that beautiful appearance 

 for which he is noted. On the face and ears the white mark- 

 ings are peculiarly well defined. These stripes or brindlings 

 constitute a distinguishing feature of the tiger, for they are not 

 seen on any other member of the Felidce. Another striking pecu- 

 liarity of these animals is the massive proportion of their fore- 

 paws as compared with their hind ones. 



The depth and intensity of the colouring, however, and the 

 glossy, sleek appearance of the fur is subject to variations ; age, 

 condition, and the locality inhabited by the animal having a 

 great deal to do with it. It is also subject to changes through 

 climatic causes. Whatever the original shade of the animal may 



