THE STORY OF THE LION . 
73 
oak forests to feed on acorns. In India, the lion usually feeds on deer, 
antelope, wild pigs, cattle, horses, donkeys and camels. In Africa, they prey 
upon antelopes, zebras, quaggas, buffaloes and giraffes. 
Were a zebra, a fat rhinoceros and a fat buffalo to be killed and left out 
it is probable that they would be eaten in the order I have named. Soft 
succulept fat is what the lion probably considers most toothsome, and zebras 
supply this in a higher degree than any other animal, save the rhinoceros 
and the hippopotamus, neither of which it is able to kill; but on the other 
hand, the zebra confines itself to the open, as far as possible, never approaches 
within springing distance of a thicket, and rarely, unless when going to' water, 
gives the lion a chance. Buffaloes, on the other hand, are nearly always 
LION CUBS THAT LOOK LIKE LAMBS. 
in and close to- cover, presenting continual opportunities for a successful 
stalk; and though the danger in attacking them is much greater, as is proved 
by the no’ means rare instances of lions being maimed, and even killed in 
such contests, yet for the above reason they form their chief food. 
It must not, however, be supposed that lions by any means restrict them¬ 
selves to- the flesh of animals which have fallen to their own attacks. In 
addition to eating the flesh of animals recently killed by hunters, lions will 
also prey upon carcasses in an advanced -state of decomposition. When 
elephants have been shot, lions will prey upon the carcasses as they lie festering 
