CARNIVORA. 
.53 
THE JAVA CAT. LE CHAT DE JAVA. 
Felts Javanensis, Leschenault. 
Java is known to contain at least two or three 
species of the wild cat: the largest of these, which 
is that here indicated, has lately been elaborately 
described by Dr. Horsfield. It seems nearly allied 
to the Bengal cat of Pennant, the serval of F. Cuvier, 
and the lesser species of Java cat above alluded to ; 
but is distinct from all of them. Dr. Horsfield’s 
figure shows the animal to be of a grayish brown 
colour, with different shades, and with the cheeks 
and under parts white ; the marks are lengthened 
or oval streaks or blotches on the back and sides, 
which become more circular and faint in colour on 
the belly and legs. 
This animal is found in large forests in every part 
of Java. It forms a retreat in hollow trees, where it 
remains concealed during the day; at night it ranges 
about in quest of food, and often visits the villages 
at the skirts of the forests, committing depredations 
among the hen-roosts. The natives ascribe to it an 
uncommon sagacity, asserting that, in order to ap- 
proach the fowls unsuspected, and to surprise them, 
it imitates their voice. It feeds chiefly on fowls, 
birds, and small quadrupeds; but, in case of ne- 
cessity, it also devours carrion. It is perfectly un- 
