MAN-EATERS OF KUMAON (235 pp.)Jim CorbetfOxford ($2).
The fearful symmetry of Felis tigris is an old story to Jim Corbett.* Born (in 1875) in the tiger-haunted Kumaon Hills of India, he has been studying tiger tracks and tactics since he was old enough to tote a gun. In Man-Eaters of Kumaon (April co-selectionwith Mary Jane Ward's The Snake Pitof the Book-of-the-Month Club), he spins some fine, hair-raising yarns about tigers he has known.
Zoo-gawkers in general will appreciate his main point: a tiger is always hungry. Timid ones may be consoled to learn that not every...