THE PAMPAS CAT. 



157 



The color of the Chati resembles that of the Leopard, only is paler in general hue. The 

 dark patches that diversify the body are very irregular those which run along the back are 

 solid, and of a deep black, while those which are 

 placed along the sides have generally a deep fawn- 

 colored centre. Towards the extremity of the 

 tail, the spots change into partial rings, which 

 nearly, but not quite, surround the tail. All speci 

 mens, however, are not precisely alike, either in 

 the color or the arrangement of the markings, but 

 those leading characteristics which have just been 

 mentioned may be found in almost every indi- 

 vidual. 



When at large in its native woods, it wages 

 incessant and destructive warfare against small 

 quadrupeds and birds, the latter creatures being- 

 its favorite prey. The Chati is a vexatious and 

 expensive neighbor to any one who may keep 

 fowls, for it seems to like nothing so well as a 

 plump fowl, and is unceasing in its visits to the 

 hen-roost. It is so active and lithe an animal that it can climb over any palisade, and insinuate 

 itself through a surprisingly small aperture ; and it is so wary and cautious in its nocturnal 

 raids, that it generally gives no indication of its movements except that which is left next 

 morning by the vacant perches, and a few scattered feathers flecked with blood-spots. 



mitis. 



PAMPAS CAT. Leopardus 



FROM the shorter heads, and other characteristics of the last few animals, it will be seen 

 that we are rapidly approaching that type of the feline nature with which we are so familiar 

 in the domestic cat. The PAMPAS CAT might easily be mistaken for a rather large domestic 

 cat which had run at large for some time, and assumed the fierce, suspicious demeanor of the 

 wild animal. 



