THE TIGER, 
131 
out being seen. The step, too, is so quiet and stealthy, that it gives no audible indication of 
the creature’s whereabouts, and the Tiger has, besides, a curious habit of drawing in its breath 
and flattening its fur, so as to reduce its bulk as far as possible. When a Tiger thus slinks 
away from the hunters or from any dreaded danger, it looks a most contemptible and cowardly 
creature, hardly to be recognized in the fiery beast, which, when driven to bay, rushes, regard- 
less of danger, with fierce yells of rage and bristling hair, upon the foremost foe. 
When seeking its prey, it never appears to employ openly that active strength which 
would seem so sure to attain its end, but creeps stealthily towards the object, availing itself 
of every cover, until it can spring upon the destined victim. Like the lion, it has often been 
known to stalk an unconscious animal, crawling after it as it moves along, and following its 
steps in hopes of gaining a nearer approach. It has even been known to stalk human beings 
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TIGER.— Tigris regalis. 
in this fashion, the Tiger in question being one of those terrible animals called “Man-eaters,” 
on account of their destructive propensities. It is said that there is an outward change caused 
in the Tiger by the indulgence of this man-slaying habit, and that a “Man-eater” can be 
distinguished from any other Tiger by the darker tint of the skin, and a redness in the cornea 
of the eyes. Not even the Man-eating Tiger dares an open assault, but crawls insidiously 
towards his prey, preferring, as does the lion, the defenceless women and children as the object 
of attack, and leaving alone the men, who are seldom without arms. 
The Tiger is very clever in selecting spots from whence it can watch the approach of its 
intended prey, itself being couched under the shade of foliage or behind the screen of some 
friendly rock. It is fond of lying in wait by the side of moderately frequented roads, more 
particularly choosing those spots where the shade is the deepest, and where water may be 
found at hand wherewith to quench the thirst that it always feels when consuming its prey. 
