1936] MAMMALS OF OREGON 265 



On September 1, 1834, J. K. Townsend in his camp in the Blue 

 Mountains of Oregon heard " as we thought, a loud halloo, several 

 times repeated and in a tone like that of a man in great distress." 

 Early next morning a large panther was seen prowling about camp 

 and the hallooing of last night was explained. The panther is said 

 to inhabit these mountains in considerable numbers and has not in- 

 frequently been known to kill the horses of a camping party. It has 

 seldom the temerity to attack a man unless sorely pressed by hunger 

 or infuriated by wounds (1839, p. 11$) . 



In 1896 mountain lions were reported as occasionally met with 

 along the canyon of the Grand Ronde River. In 1897 one was seen 

 freshly killed near the Wallowa River, and in the Wallowa Moun- 

 tains near Aneroid Lake, at about 7,600 feet altitude, Merriam and 

 the writer saw one walking leisurelv across an open meadow in the 

 lodgepole pines in bright sunlight in midafternoon. The new 

 snow was about 5 inches deep, and the cougar was evidently starting 

 out to catch its supper. Before a shot could be fired between the 

 trees, the animal had entered a willow thicket and was not seen 

 again. Apparently it had slipped out through a little gulch and 

 returned across its pursuers' tracks, past their horses, and up over 

 the mountain side, where the horses could not go. The animal was 

 followed for several miles on foot at a rapid pace, but could not 

 be overtaken, although its tracks showed only a steady, long, swinging 

 walk. 



In 1908 Supervisor H. Ireland reported to the Forest Service six 

 mountain lions killed on the Blue Mountain National Forest. In 

 1914 Jewett reported one killed near Strawberry Lake in the moun- 

 tains east of Prairie City. In 1916 a few mountain lions were re- 

 ported in the Steens Mountains; H. H. Sheldon saw fresh tracks 

 in the trail from Diamond up to the Kiger Gorge; and one of the 

 predatory-animal trappers caught one in a small trap from which 

 it escaped. In 1917 L. J. Goldman reported them as occurring 

 rarely in the Mahogany Mountains in Malheur County. In 1920 

 G. G. Cantwell reported them as seldom seen in the Wallowa coun- 

 try, but one with only 3 feet had quite a reputation in the district 

 about Flora. 



In the Wenaha National Forest E. F. Averill in 1916 reported a 

 small bear that had been caught in a trap by A. B. Ballard killed, 

 partly eaten, and buried, trap and all, under leaves, pine needles, 

 and earth at some distance from where it was caught, evidently by 

 a mountain lion. 



FELIS CATUS LINNAEUS 

 HOUSE CAT; DOMESTIC CAT 



Type from Europe introduced into North America in early days. 



General characters. About half the size or weight of a bobcat, with short 

 legs and long tail. Colors variable, black, white, gray, yellow, spotted, striped, 

 and mottled. Too well known to need description and too variable in color 

 and characters to fit any description. Weight usually about 6 to 12 pounds 

 but occasionally up to 22 pounds. 



Distribution and habitat. Found on almost every ranch and 

 farm in Oregon, as well as in city homes and in the back yards!, 

 streets, and alleys. Also found commonly in forests, around fields, 



