22 THE MOYAL TIGER OF BENGAL. 



year after year. There are certain spots that are 

 sure " finds," and you may rely on a tiger being 

 there, though his predecessor may have heen killed 

 but recently, and such places or their vicinity are 

 often selected as their nurseries. The long grass, 

 especially the nul, is a favourite cover in which to 

 deposit the cubs. 



'' The tigress gives birth to from two to five, even 

 six cubs. Three is a frequent number, and her period 

 of gestation is said to be about fourteen to fifteen 

 weeks. She is a most affectionate and attached 

 mother, and generally guards and trains her young 

 with the most watchful solicitude. They remain 

 with her until nearly full grown, or about the 

 second year, when they are able to kill for them- 

 selves, and begin life on their own account. Whilst 

 they remain with her she is peculiarly vicious and 

 aggressive, defending them with the greatest courage 

 and energy, and when robbed of them is terrible 

 in her rage, but she has been known to desert them 

 when pressed, and even to eat them when starved. 

 As soon as they begin to require other food than her 

 milk, she kills for them, teaches them to do so for 

 themselves by practising on small animals, such as 

 deer and young calves or pigs. At these times she 

 is wanton and extravagant in her cruelty, killing 

 apparently for the gratification of her ferocious and 

 blood-thirsty nature, and pei'haps to excite and 

 instruct the young ones, and it is not until they are 

 thoroughly capable of killing their own food that 



