THE TIGER-CAT. 1 47 



are so vigilant as invariably to detect the hunter and flee before 

 they can be approached. They climb trees in search of 

 domestic fowls, and carry off as many as six in a night, some- 

 times leaving several dead behind them. They avoid men and 

 Dogs with extreme caution, and each pair inhabits a separate 

 district, as may be inferred from the fact of the male and 

 female, and no more, being always caught on the same spot." 



Referring to some specimens kept in captivity, the same 

 author observes that "they spent almost the whole day rolled 

 up in the shape of a ball, and the one which wished to stretch 

 himself did not do so until he had first licked the " Chibi-guazu " 

 at his side. Whenever we put straw into the den, or within 

 their reach, so that they could seize it by putting their paws 

 through the bars, we always found on the day following that 

 they had placed it in a heap, after dividing it into chips a 

 quarter of an inch long ; and on these they reposed. In the 

 same manner they broke and tore in pieces all the small sticks 

 or twigs with which the inside of their den was furnished. They 

 spent the twilight and night in walking to and fro close to the 

 sides of their den; and if another "Chibi-guazu" crossedor inter- 

 rupted this exercise in any way, they puffed and made gestures 

 like a Cat when irritated, without using their paws ; but they 

 never quarrelled, except when very much irritated, and then 

 they struck at each other with their fore-paws. When first 

 caught, they devoured five pounds of flesh each day, although 

 they were subsequently satisfied with three. We prepared a 

 ration for each of the twelve or fourteen individuals, and each 

 took it with its paws according to the length of time they 

 had been in captivity, without the others offering the slightest 

 molestation, but if the Cat, whose turn it was to receive a por- 

 tion, disregarded, or did not devour it immediately, another 

 snatched at it, and the lawful proprietor made no defence, save 

 by sneezing, and occasionally by giving blows with its fore-paws 



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