The Tiger. 11 
such success as to enable liim to escape to ravines where 
it would be madness to attempt pursuit. 
The Tiger is, however, such a formidable neighbour, 
that, apart from the excitement of hunting him, the 
natives of the countries which he inhabits have recourse 
to various modes of killing him. In Persia a large and 
strong wooden cage is often fastened firmly down to the 
ground, in the vicinity of the Tiger's haunts, and in this 
a man, accompanied by a dog or goat, to warn him of the 
approach of the Tiger, takes up his quarters at night. 
He is provided with a few strong spears, and when the 
Tiger comes, and in endeavouring to reach the enclosed 
prey rears himself against the cage, the man takes the 
opportunity of stabbing him in a mortal part. In Oude 
the peasants sometimes strew leaves smeared with bird- 
lime in the Tiger's path, in order that as the animal 
walks on them they may adhere to his feet; in his 
efforts to disengage himself from these encumbrances he 
usually smears face and eyes with the sticky material, 
or rolls himself among the treacherous leaves, until 
finally becoming blinded and very uncomfortable he 
gives vent to his dissatisfaction in the most dismal 
howlings, which speedily bring his enemies about him, 
when taking advantage of his helpless condition the}' 
dispatch him without difficult} 7 . The destruction of a 
Tiger is handsomely rewarded by the Indian govern- 
ments, and many of the people make a regular trade of 
shooting them. 
