but there is no animal, not even man, that may not become his prey if opportunity offers.

The tiger is another animal of the cat kind; and is one of the most beautiful but, at the same time, one of the most ferocious and destructive of the whole animal race. It has an insatiable thirst for blood, and even when satisfied with food, is not satisfied with slaughter.

The body of the tiger is long, usually from six to eight feet, though sometimes measuring ten and even twelve feet in length. The head is short and round, and there is no mane. In general form and appearance, the tiger is almost a perfect reproduction of the cat on a large scale. Its movements are exceedingly easy and graceful, and when pleased it will purr and rub itself against the nearest object, like a cat.

The leopard, panther, and jaguar are spotted, while the tiger is ornamented with broad bars or stripes running across the body. The groundcolor of the body is a beautiful yellow, very deep on the back, but growing lighter toward the belly, where it softens to white, as also on the throat and the inside of the legs. The bars which cross the body from the back to the belly are of the most beautiful black; and the skin altogether is so extremely fine and glossy that it is much esteemed and sold at a high price for rugs.

Unlike many other beasts of prey, the tiger does not fear nor shun the presence of man; and, far from dreading his opposition, frequently seizes him as its victim.

The tiger seldom pursues its prey, but, like the lion, lies in ambush, and bounds upon it with surprising elasticity, and from a distance almost incredible. The bound with which it throws itself upon its victim is terrific, its leap in these attacks sometimes being fifty feet. Its strength as well as its agility is wonderful. It carries off deer with the greatest ease, and will even carry off a buffalo. It attacks all kinds of animals except the elephant and rhinoceros.

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In the jungle country of India, the tigers generally come into the villages at night and attack the cattle. But," says a native writer, no tiger will enter anything that has a roof on it and walls around it. They wait outside, growling and scratching the walls of the barns, trying to frighten the cattle inside. The cattle inside the shed get frightened, break loose, and stampede into the open. Of course, once they do this they are immediately killed by the tigers and leopards who are waiting for them."

The tiger hunts in India are among the grandest and most exciting of all wild sports. Sportsmen, mounted on large elephants, and armed with

rifles, enter the jungles in pursuit of these ravenous and destructive animals, commonly known as the Royal Bengal tigers of that country.

TAMING AND TRAINING WILD

ANIMALS

VERY few wild animals of the carnivorous or flesh-eating kind, commonly known as beasts of prey, can ever be said to be truly tamed. Within certain limits they may be brought under the fear and control of man, and may be taught to perform to some extent, and act like tame animals. But their wild, savage nature is liable to manifest itself at any time, or to be aroused on the slightest provocation. Every time a performer enters a cage of wild animals his life is in danger.

At the same time it is remarkable to what extent men have been able to tame and control these wild beasts. Men have been known to put their heads in the lion's mouth, and to carry a lion weighing five hundred pounds on their shoulders. Women, even, have performed with lions, tigers, and panthers.

Some men have been able to perform with groups of different kinds of wild animals all mingled together at the same time-animals

which naturally would fight almost instantly if thrown together under ordinary circumstances.

Perhaps the most remarkable feat of liontaming was attained not long ago by Captain Jack Bonavita, when he succeeded in having twenty-seven lions come out into the arena at one time, and allow themselves to be grouped together in close formation, and, as a concluding act, himself stand astride the center lion in the front row, and, with his hands, open his jaws. When President Roosevelt witnessed this wonderful performance he was greatly impressed.

To teach these animals to act in this quiet, docile, obedient, and unnatural manner requires the long, careful, patient, and persistent efforts of a wise, skilful, and courageous trainer.

The best training in the world counts for little, however, when once a wild animal feels inclined to give way to his natural savage instincts.

And no trainer of wild animals is safe unless he realizes their treachery, and that while in their presence there is constant danger.

The prime essentials to a successful trainer of wild animals are self-possession, self-control, good personal habits, courage, patience, constant vigilance, good judgment, a knowledge of animal nature, a pleasing and commanding personality, and physical agility.

A DANGEROUS PERFORMANCE

A LION-TAMER connected with Van Amberger's show, one of the first traveling menageries in the United States, lost his life by putting his head in a lion's mouth once too often, doubtless when the lion was not in good humor. He had told the keeper that if at any time when he was going through this dangerous performance he saw the lion begin to lash his tail he might know that the lion was going to kill him. And sure enough he did.

THE INTEMPERATE LION-TAMER

IN

In his work on "The Training of Wild Animals" Mr. Bostock tells how in some curious, incomprehensible way wild animals know instinctively whether men are addicted to bad habits.

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For those who are the least bit inclined to drink, or lead a loose life," he says, "the wild animal has neither fear no respect. He despises them with all the contempt of his animal nature." And he adds: “If a man has begun to take just a little, has deviated somewhat from the straight road, the animals will discover it long before his fellow men. From that moment the trainer's life is in danger every time he enters the cage."