146 Lloyd's natural history. 



colour is yellow and the spots are short. Both the late Mr. 

 Alston, in the " Biologia Centrali-Americana," and Mr. Elliot, in 

 his " Monograph of the Felida?," are likewise of opinion that the 

 three varieties above-mentioned cannot be regarded as species. 



Distribution. — America ; from Mexico southwards on the east 

 side of the Andes as far as Paraguay and the wooded interior 

 districts of Argentina. Perhaps Trinadad. 



Habits.— From the little that has been recorded, it appears 

 that the Tiger-Cat is an inhabitant of warm, well-wooded dis- 

 tricts, where it spends a considerable proportion of its time in 

 climbing among the forest-trees. In parts of Paraguay the 

 Indians are in the habit of hunting these Cats through the 

 forest with Dogs till they take to a tree, when they are shot or 

 shaken out. In captivity, if taken young, they readily become 

 exceedingly tame and gentle ; and it was from this trait that 

 Cuvier gave the name of mitts to the Chati. Their prey is 

 doubtless of the same nature as that of the other smaller 

 Cats. 



Writing of the variety of the Chati, which he says is termed 

 by the natives of Paraguay the Chibi-guazu, or Great Cat, 

 Azara states that in that country it was formerly so common 

 that he knew of eighteen being captured in a couple of years 

 at a single house. " Few persons, notwithstanding, are ac- 

 quainted with it, nor can people penetrate into its lurking- 

 places ; and I very much doubt whether any species of quad- 

 ruped more effectually conceals itself. It passes the day in the 

 most impenetrable fastnesses, and goes out to hunt after dusk, 

 especially if the night be dark and stormy ; at such times these 

 Cats enter boldly into the corals and courtyards, in all cases 

 without being perceived by the watch-dogs. On moonlight 

 nights they neither approach inhabited places nor fall into 

 traps ; and it is in vain to wait for them with a gun, since thev 



