The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-12-30
NElN}1|AL MZEHoDs q
wild BEASTS
>~,- 81 - 49, b 0R.IH.PosrEa
By DR.. J.H.RK7Ea.

among African veldts or kloofs. Now
all take the fullest advantage OF then
coloraton III order to approach unseen:
each utilities to the utmost every inter
vening object that can be used as a screen
and there is not one OF them ttralned IN
adjustments as they are) who does not
perfectly realize the necessity Tor caution
and silence
Visions OF slaughter float before the
mind 5 eye of lion, and stir his savage
heart with Joy so keen as to constantly
oyermas, er prudence. Many and many a
man. life has been saved because the
approaching destroyer was too much ex
cited not to tread upon dry sticks that
cracked under his weight, or because he
could not take time enough to steal through
scrub without disturbing it; or, again, for
the reason that when so close to have
the scent steaming hot into his noStrilS,
he began unconsciouSly to twitch that
heavy tail or unwittingy set up his deep,
hoarSe purr.
Furthermore, a lion is somewhat less
careful in concealing himself than a tiger
though the latter often rears in long ele
plant grass to get view OF anticipated
prey, and he puts out his deadly head
from tamarisk or karinda brush simply
from an inability to wait until his scent
ing powers Will bring him within springing
distance. Tigers have frequently been
seen under such circumstances, and thus
those whom they pursued either killed or
escaped them.
But no man has seen or heard a crouch
ing panther, or if this ever happened he
did not live to tell Of it. That fell beast
steals upon its unconscious victim as
silently and unseen as death. There is
no hurry, no mistake no betrayal OF its
presence before the moment OF attack; and
when that comes, its assault is sudden,
swift and overwhelming beyond the power
OF words TO portray. That most fatal rush
has been compared to the swoop OF some
fierce Strong winged bird Of prey; but this
smile is inadequate.
Col. Barras comes nearer to telling how
a charging panther really looks, when he
likens the sight Of one who very nearly
made an end of him, to a tawny streak in
the air with a pair of staring eyes in front
of it. Moreover, this was charge in the
OPEN Tor II that messenger OF sudden
death had come from an ambush, nothing
can be much more certain than that a
vacancy would have occurred i'll her Maj
eSty S army.
Besides contrasts in specific traits these
three great cats manifest diversities of
personal nature-that is to say, of mental
constitution and individual character; for
IN exceptional instances some OF them do
things which others never attempt. Com
pared with tigers and panthers, lions are
a rule, bolder and less given to surrep-
titiouS IHty SEEM ~ rely III
a greater measure upon violence and main
strength.
But occasionally Felis leo is an express
incarnation OF artfulness. He is solitary
animal by habit who hunts alone except
when accompanied by his consort and her
whelps; but even then the lioness rarely
plays a leading part. All those species
spoken OF are apparently incapable OF as
soclatl0n, and tigers or male panthers
never combine for any PURPOSE
The hon, however, can comprehend that
co operation may sometimes be adyan-
tageous. Where the country is OPEN and
such animals as he preys upon are fleet of
foot and sharp of sense, stalking them
would be difficult and uncertain way in
which to procure supplies; therefore, lions
form hunting parties. Degorgue says he
has seen 20 of them together. They have
to take in the surface features that are
favorable or unfavorable for their drive; it
is necessary to note the wind s direction,
and also act in accordance with the
special character of those creatures to be
driven, as Gland, gnus, or zebras cannot
be manuvered by like tactics
Lions show in all they do when thus
assisting each other how well they under
stand descriptive natural history. There
are several important points to be con-
sidered on such occasions. For instance
how to get scattered animals together at a
place which they cannot pass without
concentrating; how to prevent panic that
would cause dispersion their own Skin
mish line is never long enough to control 1t
must likewise be known beforehand how
far and how fast the game will go when
once started; what their powers of resist
ance are; whether the prey is watchfuI and
timid, or self-confident and not easily dis
turbed.
70 make mistake with regard to any of
these items entails partial or complete
failure, and lions understand that per-
fectly well; but to suppose they would be
aware OF it, or could be capable of adapt
ing their movements to conditions which
are not only complex in themselves, but
changing, and this without