Page:Hunting and trapping stories; a book for boys (IA huntingtrappings00pric).pdf/45

ALL ABOUT LIONS The lion is not plentiful anywhere off the African continent. At one time it was found all over Asia, but it has been exterminated. A few still exist in Persia and China, but from India it has vanished entirely.

The lion has none of the tiger's slinking habits, and is therefore much easier to approach. In fact, at times it appears to expose itself recklessly. When a lion is disturbed it will come out fearlessly into the open to investigate. On the other hand, the tiger on hearing any suspicious noise will lie closely concealed. If it happens to be a powerful enemy, such as an elephant or an armed man, it slinks away like a shadow.

Until a few years ago there were plenty of lions all over Africa, but they are rapidly vanishing. Since the white man started in to settle up the country the haunts of the lion have been invaded and the "King of Beasts" has been driven away or killed off. In fact, in certain regions or recently settled Uganda and Mashonaland, in tropical Africa the lion has entirely disappeared within eighteen months of the white man's coming.

Sir Samuel Baker, a great hunter and explorer, who was an authority on matters relating to the dark continent stated his belief that within a century not a lion would be left alive outside the zoological gardens, for the killing is going on far too rapidly to allow a single specimen to be left. The building of railways makes it easy for man to reach the hunting grounds where before it was very difficult.

Children often ask "which is stronger, the lion or tiger?" It is not a fair question, for the two animals can hardly be compared. It is true that while they are both members of the cat family, and are mighty hunters their habits are completely different. For instance, when a tiger springs upon its prey, it buries its claws deep into the victim's back and tries to bite it in some vital spot, such as the neck. Again, the tiger inhabits the tall grass jungles. Now, the lion when it springs upon its prey deals it a powerful, smashing downward blow which generally kills at once. Moreover, the lion is not found in the forests, but lives in the open country among the sand-hills and scrub bushes. The lion is about the same length as the tiger, that is, from eight to ten feet long, but on average it weighs more. In ferocity and strength they are about equal although the tiger is the more wantonly cruel of the two. You do not often hear of a "man-eating lion."

The lion in captivity is a poor, thin, slab-sided creature compared to the royal beast in its native home. The male lion has a splendid mane about its neck which during battle serves to protect its throat and jaws from its enemy's teeth. In a wild state the lion is a perfect picture of beauty and strength.