The HUNTING LEOPARD.
This animal is one of the many which belong to the Cat tribe, and poſſeſſes the ſame inſidious diſpoſition, and in proportion to its bulk, the ſame rapacity of temper, and deſire for carnage.
The neck and belly of the Hunting Leopard are yellow, or a dirty white; the back and feet, a tawney brown, beautifully marked with black ſpots; the head is ſmall and round; the ears ſhort, as though cropped, which gives a very ſmart and lively appearance to the creature; is about the ſize of a large dog; the body rather long and narrow; the legs and tail rather long, particularly the latter—inhabits the torrid climates, as in general this tribe do, where their rapacity and unſatiated appetite ſecure to themſelves whole tracts of country, the beauties of which man is obliged to give up to theſe ſavage poſſeſſors.
The larger Leopards may be conſidered of an untameable diſpoſition, which is rarely or never conquered; ſeverity will not reform, nor will kind uſage ſoften; and while the Lion, the Bear, &c. may be brought to familiarity, the Leopard or Panther muſt ever be kept at a diſtance. The ſmaller animals of this ſpecies are, however, frequently tamed, and rendered obedient to the will of its governor; we have had occaſion already to notice this in the Perſian Lynx, and the Hunting Leopard may be added as another inſtance.
In India it is tamed and trained for the chace of Antelopes, carried in a kind of ſmall waggon, chained and hood-winked, till it approaches the herd; when firſt unchained, does not immediately make its attempt, but winds along the ground, ſtopping and concealing itſelf till it gets a proper advantage, then darting on the animal with ſurpriſing ſwiftneſs, overtakes them by the rapidity of its bound; but if it does not ſucceed in its firſt efforts, confiding of five or ſix amazing leaps, miſſes its prey, loſing its breath, and finding itſelf unequal in ſpeed, ſtands ſtill, gives up the point for that time, and readily returns to its maſter. The height, as it ſits, is about three feet.
