214 



THE MARGAY. 



Felis tigrina LINNAUS. 



Felis tigrina, Linnaus Le Margay, Buffon Felis mar. 

 gay, F. tigrina, Temminck^ Monographic s, p. 152. Des- 

 marest, Mammalogie^ p. 232. 



THIS little species rivals the ocelot in the beauty 

 of its markings. The ground-colour of the skin is of a 

 pale fawn colour, white on the lower parts. The head 

 and neck are adorned with black longitudinal bands, 

 narrow and distinct upon the crown, and becoming 

 broad upon the neck. Upon the cheeks are three 

 lines ; upon the throat a crescent- shaped gorget ; and 

 upon the neck and breast numerous transverse bands. 

 The back and sides are marked with open circular 

 rings, surrounding a centre of a redder tinge than 

 that of the body, the whole surrounded irregularly 

 with a black line. The thighs and tail are ringed 

 with black arid tawny bands ; the insides of the for- 

 mer with black and white. Mr Temminck considers 

 this to have been confounded with the last, but says 

 it is easily distinguished by its comparatively small 

 size, and the shortness of its tail. The whole length 

 is only 2 feet 2 inches, of which the tail makes near- 

 ly 8J inches. It is a native of Brazil, and M. Tem- 

 minck has also received it frum Surinam. 



