The Bengal tiger running. |
Much is written of the man-eating tiger by people who do not realize that it is only the lame or aged beast, unable any longer to pull down a buck, that attacks man. When the tiger has once tasted human blood it becomes a confirmed man-hunter, and holds the country round in terror. The women no longer dare go into the fields along, and even the men travel from place to place in well-armed parties of three and four.
Nothing is more wonderful about the tiger than its ability, in spite of its enormous size, to move quietly over twigs and leaves. A good illustration of this, and its sneaking habits, is the following story:
A hunter decided to watch the ford of a stream where a tiger had been in the habit of coming down to drink. He posted an armed native on the opposite side, and then hid himself. After several hours of watching, during which time he saw nothing of the tiger, he called to his companion. The man did not answer and the hunter became alarmed. There was an uncanny stillness in the air. He hastened across, and there he saw the footprints of a huge tiger just behind where the man had been standing. He followed up the tiger's trail, and about one hundred and fifty yards away he fell over the native's body. He was quite dead, with a clawed and broken neck. Although the hunter was only a short distance off, he had heard nothing of the tiger's approach.
Two ladies left their bungalow one evening, and walked to the top of a hill to view the sunset. While they were returning, a full-grown tiger stepped out into the road. One lady, in her terror, suddenly opened her red sun-shade. The unusual sight startled the tiger, who bounded into the jungle once more.
This story only goes to show that the fiercest animals in the world can be frightened by simple objects which they do not understand. All the cat tribe are cautious, and will never approach anything that looks to them suspicious.
Another story is told of an Indian officer, who had to pass through a lonely piece of road near a jungle, while going to visit some friends. He was riding a bicycle. Suddenly a large tiger sprang out behind him, and followed him with much the same gait that a cat uses when crossing the street. Strain. as hard as he could, the rider was unable to increase his lead on the tiger, who seemed not to be making the least effort. Near the end of the road a number of officers were waiting for the expected guest, and were astonished at the speed he was making. When they saw the tiger behind him they rushed for their guns. At the same time the tiger seemed to think that he had come far enough, and, uttering a loud roar, gave three huge springs, which brought him up with his victim, and down went tiger, bicycle, and rider, in a heap. A lucky shot finished the tiger, and the officer escaped with a torn scalp and a broken arm.
Tigers hunted by men riding elephants. |
What does functionally extinct mean? Color a stained glass page featuring a tiger. - Tigers are orange and so are these things
Paper tiger toy with joints can move if parts are reconnected with brads. |
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