CHREVAII, CHTVTAII, or HUNTING LEOPARD, Fe/isjUbata or Cynaiturus jubattis,.all animal of the feline family, but differing from all the rest of that family in its longer and narrower feet and less retractile claws, which are also more blunt and less curved. 'With these peculiarities are associated a greater length of limbs than is usual in feline animals, adapting it to take its prey by running rather than by leaping, and an intelli gent and tractable disposition, constituting an additional point of resemblance to dogs; with which, however, the form of the head and the internal anatomy have nothing in common, but are entirely feline. The C. is in size about equal to a leopard, but the body and limbs are longer. It is very widely distributed, being found in Senegal, s. Africa,'Persia, India, Sumatra, etc. Its geographic range extends as far n. as the Caspian sea, and the steppes of the Kirghiz Tartars. The Asiatic species described as felis venatica appears to have been fully identified with F. jubata ; and differences in the quantity of mane, and other unimportant particulars, may probably sometimes have resulted from domestication; for this animal has been long domesticated and employed in the chase, both in Persia, where it is called youze, and in India. Deer and antelopes
are the game principally hunted with the C., and packs are kept by Indian princes. The head of the C. is kept covered with a leather hood till the game is discovered, when the hunting party, advancing cautiously to within 200 yards of it, the hood is taken off, and the C. steathily creeps towards the herd, taking advantage of every bush and inequality for concealment, till, on their showing alarm, he is amongst them at a few bounds, and striking down his victim with a blow of his paw, instantly tears open its throat, and begins to suck the blood. It is then somewhat difficult to withdraw him from his prey, which is generally done by offering him meat. If unsuccessful, the 0. does not attempt to follow the herd by running—nor does this animal seem to possess the power of maintaining speed through a lengthened chase—but slowly, and as if ashamed, creeps back to the hunters. The C. is not unfrequently to be seen in menageries in Britain. In a domesticated state, it is extremely fond of attention. and seems to repay kindness with affection. The skin is frequently imported from Africa.