THE OCELOT 



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THE OCELOT (Felis pardalis)' 



If not equal in beauty of coloration to its much larger cousin the jaguar, the 

 smaller South American cat known as the ocelot occupies at least the next place in 

 this respect ; and exhibits individual variations fully as marked as those occurring 

 in the Asiatic leopard-cat. The ocelot is essentially a South American species, 

 ranging northwards, however, into Mexico, and just impinging on the extreme 

 southwestern borders of the United States. Southwards it extends to Paraguay ; 

 but, according to Mr. W. H. Hudson, it is unknown on the pampas of Argentina, 

 from which it may be inferred that its alleged occurrence in Patagonia is, at least, 

 open to doubt. L,ike the leopard-cat, the ocelot, on account of its numerous vari- 



THK OCELOT. 

 (One-sixth natural size. ) 



ations in color, has received a number of distinct scientific names. Professor Mivart, 

 describes the more general type in the following words : ' ' The ground color of 

 the ocelot may be tawny yellow or reddish gray. It is always marked with black 

 spots, which are aggregated in chain-like streaks and blotches, generally forming 

 elongated spots, each with a black border, enclosing an area which is rather darker 

 than is the general ground color. The head and limbs bear small spots, and there 

 are two black stripes over each cheek, and one or two transverse black bands 

 within each fore-leg. The tail tends to be ringed, and the ventral parts of the 

 trunk and limbs are whitish." 



