18 Quadrupeds. 



THE PUMA. (Felis concolor.) 



THE PUMA, or American Lion, is smaller than the 

 jaguar, and has a shrill hissing cry, very different from 

 that of other animals of the cat kind. The fur is of a 

 silvery fawn-colour, nearly white below, but becoming 

 black at the head ; the animal has no mane, and its tail 

 is without any tuft at the tip. The cubs are spotted 

 when young. The habits of the Puma are somewhat 

 peculiar ; when attacked, he climbs the nearest tree for 

 safety, and there is generally shot by his hunters. 

 When hunted with dogs, however, and cut off from all 

 retreat, he stands at bay and fights furiously. The 

 flesh is eaten by the Indians, and is said to be much 

 prized by them. The Puma flies from the sight of man, 

 and seldom attacks any animal larger than a sheep ; but 

 when he can surprise a flock of sheep, he kills as many 

 us he can, only sucking the blood of each. He never 

 devours the whole of his prey at once, carefully cover- 

 ing with leaves what he cannot eat : but if these should 

 be removed, he will not touch the food again. In 

 former times the Puma inhabited nearly the whole 

 American continent, from Canada to Patagonia, but it 

 is now extirpated in many places, especially in North 



