^^ MAMMALIA. 



but here the Panther jumped from a ledge of rocks about twenty feet 

 above the level upon which the deer was standing. He struck it 

 with such force as to knock it nearly a rod farther off. 



Under certain conditions of the deep snows the deer cut in so 

 deeply that the poor animals can make but slow progress. At such 

 times a Panther, by spreading the toes of his great broad paws, 

 simulates a man on snow-shoes and sinks but a short distance in the 

 snow. He thus gains a vital advantage over his prey, and will now 

 give chase to and capture one that he missed on his first spring. 

 Under no other circumstances will a Panther pursue a deer, for he 

 is too well aware of the uselessness of an attempt to overtake so fleet 

 an animal. Immediately upon killing one he drags it bodily into 

 some dense thicket or windfall, where he will not be likely to be 

 observed. He has thus been known to drag a full-grown deer con- 

 siderably over a hundred feet before reaching a satisfactory covert. 

 Unlike the wolf, he makes the most of his prey and devours it 

 all before killing another. One deer generally lasts a Panther a 

 week or ten days, and during this time he may usually be found 

 within a mile of the carcass, hidden under some log or uprooted tree. 

 Sometimes, but very rarely, does he partially bury it, after each meal, 

 by scraping leaves and brush over it. When all but enough for 

 one or two meals has been eaten, the Panther, especially if a female 

 with young, will often make another hunt, but if unsuccessful returns 

 to the remains of the old carcass. 



The young follow the mother till nearh- two years old — that is 

 until about two-thirds crrown. She leaves them when huntinsf, and, 

 after having killed a deer, returns and leads them to it. 



It is often stated that Panthers hunt in pairs, but on one occasion 

 only has Mr. Sheppard found an adult male and female in company. 

 This was early in December and the tracks on the snow indicated 

 that they had been sporting considerably, and were probably rutting. 

 He killed them both. 



The range of these animals, as individuals, is very extensive, and 



