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 mostill-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, (Fclis 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 to 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. 



