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THE CARNIVORES 



THE PAMPAS CAT (Felts pajeros) 



With the pampas cat, also known as the straw-cat or the grass-cat, we come to 

 the last of the South American cats, and also the only one absolutely confined to 

 the barren regions of Argentina and Patagonia, ranging to the extreme southern 

 limits of the latter country. From dwelling in such desert regions, the pampas cat 

 may, as Professor Mivart remarks, well be regarded as the New World representa- 

 tive of Pallas' s cat of the steppes of Central Asia. 



THE PAMPAS CAT. 

 (One- sixth natural size.) 



This species is described as being of about the same size as the European wild 

 cat, but of stouter build, with a smaller head and a still shorter tail. The fur is 

 long and of a yellowish-gray ground color, marked with brownish or straw-colored 

 bands, running obliquely from the back across the flanks, the tail and legs being 

 barred with similar bands. From the eyes two dark patches are continued down- 

 ward to meet on the throat. As usual, the under part of the body is whitish. 

 The total length of the animal is given as three feet one inch, of which twelve 

 inches are occupied by the tail. The skull is remarkable for its extreme shortness, 

 and likewise for the presence of only two premolar teeth in the upper jaw. 



This cat may be regarded as one of the most distinctive animals of the pampas. 

 Mr. W. H. Hudson speaks of it as not unlike F. catus in its robust form and dark 

 color, but a larger, more powerful animal, inexpressibly savage in disposition. 



