Page:Babyhood of Wild Beasts.djvu/137

 CHAPTER XI

HERE are no handsomer babies in the animal kingdom than the tiger babies. Their golden coats are beautifully marked with black stripes, with snow-white breast and chin, their ears are much too large for the youngsters' heads, their dear blue eyes are cloudy and uncertain, and their paws are so big and clumsy they can hardly manage them. They are such darlings one feels like taking them in one's arms and coddling them; for they are the dearest kitties in the whole wide world.

From two to four cubs are usually born in a litter, their home being a hollow log, dense thicket or a deep depression under rocks.

The Tigress is a loving and patient mother, eager to protect her little ones, and teaching them the etiquette of Tiger society with patience and gentleness. The school days of the baby tigers 111