. Natural history. Zoology. 54 MAMMALIA—ORDER IV. — CARNIVGRA. pounds after losing about a gallon of blood, so that its whole weight was probably about 447 pounds. Of course, much depends upon how fat the animal is at the time of its death. Sir 8. Baker estimating that, while a very fine tiger in average condition will weigh some 440 pounds, the same animal, when unusually fat, will scale 500 pounds. If, however, a tiger just under 10 feet in length will weigh about 500 pounds, it may be safely assumed that an 11 or 12 feet example in similar condition will considerably exceed this weight, and
. Natural history. Zoology. 54 MAMMALIA—ORDER IV. — CARNIVGRA. pounds after losing about a gallon of blood, so that its whole weight was probably about 447 pounds. Of course, much depends upon how fat the animal is at the time of its death. Sir 8. Baker estimating that, while a very fine tiger in average condition will weigh some 440 pounds, the same animal, when unusually fat, will scale 500 pounds. If, however, a tiger just under 10 feet in length will weigh about 500 pounds, it may be safely assumed that an 11 or 12 feet example in similar condition will considerably exceed this weight, and it is, therefore, probable that the maxiinuui weight attained by the tiger has yet to be recorded. It is accordingly earnestly to be desired that sportsmen will not only measure, but will likewise weigh any unusually large tigers they may have the good fortune to kill. Those who have the opportunity of seeing an attack by a tiger on large animals like buffalo or gaur, which he is unable to overthrow, will do good service if they can throw any light on the mode of attack in those instances where the prey is hamstrung. Mr. Blanford considers that in this occasional mode of attack the hamstringing is probably effected by a blow from the claws, and states that he has known two instances where buffaloes were left hamstrung by tigers. This mode of attack being apparently' very rare, will of course be seldom seen by European eyes, so that should it come under notice a record will be of extreme value. As a rule, however, it is believed that «, tiger seizes large animals by the fore-quarters, throwing one paw over the shoulder, and attacking the tiiroat with the jaws ; a sudden upward wrench, during which the destroyer often springs to the opposite side of his victim, serving to dislocate the neck. On the other hand, some writers are of opinion that the tiger first seizes the animal by the back of the neck. Thus Sir S. Baker writes that " the attack of a large tiger is terrif
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