F E j J S ÜAUDATUS
FELIS CAUDATA.
TH E BO K H A K A CH AH8.
CHAUS CAUDATUS, J. E. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1 8 7 4 ) p. 31, pis. 6 & 7.—Id. Ann. & Mag. Nat. H is t (18 7 4 ) vol. xiii. p. 188.
FELIS SERVALINA, Severtzov, Trans. Imp. Soc. Nat. Seien. Moscow, vol. viii. pt. 2 (1873).
Hab. Turkestan.
T h i s species, which appears perfectly distinct from all those known in this family, was received by the British Museum
from Bokhara, and described by Dr. Gray as above cited. Whether it is the same as the F. servalina described by
Severtzov (I. c.) is difficult to determine; but in any case Dr. Gray’s name stands, as that of F. servalina has already been
employed for a very different species, F. serval. F. caudata can at once be recognized from F. chans, with which it is
nearest allied, by its long bushy ringed tail and spotted body.
Dr. Gray’s description is as f o l lo w s l ip—
“ Fur close, soft, pale yellowish, blackish brown at the base, with very numerous small irregular spots. The spots are
smallest and roundest on the dorsal line, oblong on the sides, and forming interrupted lines on the shoulders and thighs,
which are most distinct on the outside of the fore legs, and especially forming four broad cross streaks on the front edge of
the thighs. Tail cylindrical, reaching to the ground, spotted at the upper part of the base, and with eight or nine narrow
interrupted rings on the upper part of the remaining portion, and with a black tip. Nose brown, with short hair. Forehead
and cheeks like the back, but with smaller spots, and without any distinct dark streaks from the back edge of the eye. The
ears ovate, acute, pale brown externally, with a terminal pencil of blackish hairs, and whitish on the edge within. Chin,
hinder parts of the upper lip, underpart of the head, throat, chest, belly, inside of legs and hind feet whitish brown, the
chin being whitest and the inside of hind legs and feet darkest. There is a large blackish spot on the upper part of the inside
of the fore legs, and two small cross streaks on the front edge of the inside of the hind thighs. The hinder part of the
hind feet to the heel blackish. Length of body and head 23^ inches; tail 12j inches; height at shoulder 12 inches.”
The skull presents a short facial region, and when viewed in profile has the upper outline gradually and evenly arched.
The nasals are rather broad, and have their processes on a line with those of the maxillas at the articulation with the frontals.
Nasals and maxillas join for about half of their central length, the posterior and anterior portions being separated by
tbe processes of the prefrontals and premaxillas. Orbits incomplete. Infraorbital foramina rounded and freely open.
Interorbital space moderately wide. Brain-case well developed and rounded, without any central ridge. Auditory bulke
moderately large. Lower outline of inferior ramus curving gradually upwards to the symphysis. Superior canines
moderate in size.