Tin: JAGUAR. 



as if it were cut l)y a knilV. J\i^i^^ of the turtle are nearly as important to 

 the Jaguar as is tlic flesh of the mother turtle hei'self. After inverting the 

 maternal turtle, the Jaguar will leave her in her impotent position, and going to 

 the shore, coolly st'oo]) out and devour the soft leather-covered eggs which she had 

 de})osited in the sandy beach in vain hopes of their seasonable development by the 

 wann sunbeams. 



Birds are simply struck down by a single blow of the Jaguar's ready })aw ; and 

 so cpiick are his movements, tliat, even if a bird has risen upon the wing, he can 

 often make one of his wonderful boimds, and with a light, quick stroke, arrest the 

 winged ])rey l)cfore it has had time to soar beyond his reach. As to the tish, the 

 Jaguar watches for them at the water side, and as soon as an unfortunate 

 tish haj)pens to swim within reach of the sjmtted foe, a nind)le paw, with out- 

 stretclicd talons, is suddenly thrust forth, and the lish swept out of the water uj)()n 

 dry land. 



Tlu! favourite food of the Jaguar — when lie can get it — is the flesh of the various 

 monkeys. ]^ut to catch a monkey is not the easiest task in the world, and in 

 general can r)nly be acliieved by lea])ingupon the ])rey from a ])lace of concealment, 

 or by surprising the monkeys while sleeping. Sometimes it is fortunate enough 

 to get among a little band of monkeys before they are aware of the presence of 

 the dreaded foe, and then seizes the opportunity of dealing a few fierce strokes of 

 its terrible i)aw among the partly-awakened sleepei-s, thus dashing them to the 

 ground, whither it descends to feast ;it leisure on the ample repast. The tierce 

 hoarse roar of the Jaguar and the yells of terror that come from the frighted 

 monkeys resound far and wide, and })roHlaim in unmistakeable huiguage the deadly 

 work that is going on among the trees. 



The Jaguar is (|uite as susj)icious and cautious an animal as any of the Old 

 Woild felidic, and never will make an open attack upon man or beast. Should 

 a solitaiy animal pass within reach, the Jaguar hesitates not in pouncing upon it; 

 but if a herd of animals, or a party of men, should be travelling together, the 

 Jaguar becomes very cautious, and will dog their steps for many miles, in hopes of 

 securing one of the ])arty in the act of straggling. If the Jaguar should be very 

 hungry indeed, and unable to wait ])atiently, it will yet temper audacity witli 

 caution, and though it will, under urgent necessity, seize one out of the number, 

 it will always choose that individual which is hindennost, hoping to escape with 

 its j)rey before the com])anions can come to the rescue, A Jaguar has been known 

 to tollow the track of tr;i\(Hei's for days together, only daring to sliow itself at 

 '•are intei*vals. 



