THE PUMA AND ITS YOUNG 



399 



tigre, only somewhat less. ... But I have wisht them farther 

 off when I have met them in the woods ; because their aspect 

 appears so very stately and fierce." 



FIG. 198. Ocelot. Felis pardalis. x^. 



The Puma, F. con-color, the American Lion as it is called in 

 the north, is a rather smaller animal than the last, and of a 

 uniform tawny colour, tending to white on the abdomen and to 

 a dark stripe along the back. The young, as already mentioned, 

 are very distinctly spotted. Like the Tiger, the Puma can 

 endure extremes of heat and cold ; it is equally at home in 

 the snow of North America and among the tropical forests 

 and swamps of the south. It is a ferocious creature so far as 

 concerns Deer, Lamas, Eaccoons, even Skunks and Rheas, but, 

 according to Mr. W. H. Hudson, will not attack man, and will 

 even defend him against the Jaguar. 1 In captivity the Puma 

 will purr like a Cat. 



The Eyra, F. eyra, is another self-coloured American cat, 

 which has a curious likeness to the totally distinct Cryptoprocta 

 of Madagascar. 



The Wild Cat of Europe, F. catus, is found over the greater 

 part of Europe, and also in Northern Asia. It was undoubtedly 

 common at one time in this country, though it appears never to 

 have extended its range into Ireland. But the real Wild Cat is 

 now rare in this island, and is confined to certain districts in 

 1 But Mr. Belt says that the "Tigre" never attacks man unless it be 

 provoked 



