39^ Game of Europe, W. & N. Asia & America 



practically exterminated troni the open plains, although still lingering in 

 the thickets [inonte] along the river valleys. When the great rivers are in 

 flood, pumas, like jaguars, may not untrequently be seen carried down on 

 natural timber ratts trom the forest districts of the interior. On the 

 Argentine pampas they are quite as scarce as on the plains of Uruguay, 

 although more common in the wooded Chaco country of Tucuman and 

 neighbouring districts. A tew years ago they were still sutiiciently 

 numerous in the Rio Negro district of Patagonia to cause serious losses to 

 the settlers, and in Southern Patagonia they are probably still abundant. 



Three excellent accounts of the habits and mode of life of the puma 

 have been published in recent years, two of these dealing with the animal 

 in North America, and the third taking up the story in Argentina and 

 Patagonia. The first of these will be found in Dr. C. H. Merriam's 

 Mamuuils of the AdiroiuLick Region, Nor t/i-Ei! stern Neiv York, published at 

 New York in 1884. The second, by Mr. F. W. True, is published in the 

 Report of the U.S. National Museum for the years 1888-89, which appeared 

 in 1 89 1. The third is in that delightful book 'Ihe Naturalist in La Plata, 

 by Mr. W. H. Hudson (1892). 



With such an extensive range both in latitude and altitude, the puma 

 has to adapt its mode ot life to climates of all descriptions : in one region, 

 as in the Adirondacks during winter, tracking its prey across the pathless 

 snow, and in others capturing it among the luxuriant growth of tropical 

 vegetation. It is found alike on barren mountain crests, among the leafy 

 glades of Florida, and on the open plains of Texas and Argentina. What- 

 ever may be the nature of the country it inhabits, the puma always selects 

 sequestered and sheltered situations for its lair, but in general it frequents 

 thick bushes and copses rather than the great forests. In San Francisco, 

 according to Dr. Merriam, it is chiefly found in the pine zone on the 

 mountains, although occasionally descending to the deserts. Here it is 

 much dreaded by shepherds, who lose many members of their flocks — 



