This is by far the most beautiful of all the smaller one-coloured Cats (see next page). The beauty of its rich chestnut hide, and the extreme elegance of its form, quite incline one to assign to it the palm for beauty, even in presence of such splendidly-marked forms as the Ocelot. The specimen in the London Zoological Gardens is a most delightful animal. It is slightly smaller than an ordinary Cat, and much less in height, owing to the shortness of its legs, in comparison with which the body is of great length; so that one at first sight instinctively compares it with a Weasel, to which, however, it has really no relationship whatever. Its neck is long, its head small, and curiously flattened from above downwards, almost like an Otter’s, and its tail long and well shaped. Its movements are almost Snake-like, so continuously does it twist and turn its long lithe body. In its sanguinary habits and mode of life it does not differ in any important respect from the Jaguarondi, with which it also agrees in its geographical distribution. It is, however, a much rarer animal. [Illustration: JAGUARONDI.] Mr. Bartlett informs us that he has kept the Eyra in his house, and that it made a most charming pet. Brehm also mentions two domesticated individuals which were on very good terms with the Cats and Dogs in the house, and were particularly friendly with a Monkey, who did them the kind office of catching their fleas. THE SERVAL.[36] The Serval, or African Tiger-Cat, is found over the greater part of Africa, being specially abundant in the south, but extending also as far north as Algeria. It especially frequents the extensive grassy plains or steppes, where it lives upon Antelopes and other game. Its legs are proportionally much longer and the tail much shorter than those of most of the true Cats, in which respects it approaches the Lynxes. It is distinguished from these, however, by the absence of tufts of hair on the ears. The body is about forty inches in length, the tail about sixteen inches. This, it will be seen, by a comparison with the dimensions given of the preceding kinds, shows a much smaller proportion between the tail and the body than in most of the true Cats, but the appendage is never as short as in a Lynx. The ground-colour of the skin is tawny, lighter or darker according to circumstances, and spotted with black. The spots on the flank are all elongated longitudinally, and, along the back, run into distinct bands which are continued on to the forehead. This running together of spots into longitudinal stripes is very common in the Cat tribe. The tail is regularly ringed with black. The fur, although coarse, is handsome, and much used. [Illustration: EYRA.] THE RUSTY-SPOTTED CAT.[37]