TEE ROYAL TI&SR OF BENGAL. 13 



are several varieties in colour and even shape ; some 

 are longer and lighter, often shorter, proportionately 

 higher, and have both limbs and body of more bulky 

 development than others. Th e colour of a-J Pull 

 grown tiger in_ good health is. exceedingly beautiful, 

 Thegrpundis of a rufous, or tawny yellow, shaded 

 into white on the ventral surface. This is varied 

 with vertical black stripes, or elongated_ovals. ^ angl 

 brindlings. Oh tTie face and posterior surface of 

 the ears the white markings are peculiarly well de- 

 fined, and present an appearance as remarkable as 

 beautiful. The depth of shade of the ground colour, 

 and the intensity of the black markings vary, 

 according to the age and condition of the animal. 

 In old tigers the ground becomes more tawny, of a 

 lighter shade, and the black markings better defined. 

 The young are more dusky in the ground colouring 

 than the middle-aged or old tigers. 



The depth of colour is also affected by locality 

 and climate ; t hose found in forests are often -of -ar- 

 deeper shade than tigers found in more op^n loca=- 

 lities. It is said that in more northern latitudes, 

 they are of- a- li^^bi6r,„£olQ33Tj . §}g ost whit e. The 

 circular white patches on the back of the ears, and 

 the white and black about the face are very con- 

 spicuous in the tiger rushing through the grass or 

 jungle, when disturbed. Brilliant as is the general 

 colour, it is remarkable how well it harmonizes with 

 the grass or bush, among which he prowls, and for 

 which indeed, until his charge and the short deep 



