F E L I S . e C I ^ i f T Ä ;
TH E P A IN T E D CAT.
FELIS SCRIPTA, Alph. Milne-Edw. Nouv. Arch. Mus. vol. vii. Bull. p. 92 (note ).—David, Nouv. Arch. Mus. vol. vii. (1871) p 89.
H a b . Moupin, Setcliuan (A. D a v id ).
T h i s pretty little Cat was procured by M. David in the principality of Moupin; and two individuals, rather different in
colour and markings, were sent to the Paris Museum, and served as types for Prof. A. Milne-Edwards, who described them
as above noticed. Its markings are similar in kind to those of the spotted Cats from America rather than to any of
those of the Old-World species; but the tail is thicker, and more inclined to be bushy. It inhabits, according to its
discoverer, the great forests of the high mountains in Moupin, and does not appear to be uncommon there. The
individual described by M. Milne-Edwards was killed in the month of March; and its iris was yellowish chestnut.
Fur soft and long. Head and centre of the back rufous brown, striped with narrow lines of black; two of these
commence at the corners of the eyes, and run along the sides of the head ; all the rest begin at the middle of the head.
Shoulders, flanks, and loins yellowish buff, covered with rather large irregular lines and blotches black with light brown
centres. Ridge of nose and portion of upper lip reddish brown; black spot in front of the eye extending to the upper lip.
Cheeks white, crossed by two blackish brown lines. Chin, throat, breast, inside of legs, and belly white. A black line
crosses the throat, going from the base of one ear to that of ftie other. Rest of underparts covered with rather large
black spots. Legs on the outside rufous, the fore legs spotted with black to the fe e t; lower part of hind ones free from
spots. Tail long, rufous, lighter beneath, covered with numerous black rings, which, however, do not meet beneath,
leaving the underpart uniform yellowish brown. Back of ears black, with a white spot in the centre. Size about that
of a domestic Cat. Description taken from the type.
Another specimen from the same locality (also a type) is light yellowish brown, with the back and sides covered, the
former with broken lines, the latter with spots, of reddish brown, having the upper edges usually black. Head marked with
black as in the other specimen. Loins spotted with black. Two black Hues across the cheeks. Throat, breast, belly, and
inside of legs pure white, crossed irregularly with very dark chestnut-brown almost black, but becoming brighter on the
fore part of shoulder. Fore legs inside for nearly the whole length, and hind legs to the knee, spotted with black. Tail
long and bushy, ringed narrowly with black; underparts free from marldngs, same colour as the body. This specimen has
none of the rufous colouring exhibited by the other, being apparently the pale style of the species. The lower part of
hind legs is free from spots, yellowish brown in colour.
The skull resembles somewhat that of F. c/iinensis (.F.javensis of this Monograph). The nose is straighter than that of
the latter; and the upper part of the infraorbital foramen is more shrunken, presenting the appearance of a linear opening.
The orbits are nearly complete. Auditory bullse more swollen in front than those of F. javensis. Upper canines
longer, but not so strong as in the species compared. Interorbital space broad; brain-case dome-shaped, unusually full
exteriorly.
Three specimens, brought by M. David, in the Paris Museum vary considerably both in their colour and style of markings
and in size. The following are the dimensions :—1. Nose to root of tail 24 inches, tail 8 | j 2. Nose to root of tail
25 inches, tail 8 | ; 3. Nose to root of tail f 2 | inches, tail 10. A fourth specimen, obtained from M. Parzudaki in 1856,
and marked F. scripta with a doubt, is 22j inches from nose to root of tail, tail 12 inches.