CHAPTER XYII. 



lU-TtEE AND HABITS OF THE PANTHEB, WOLF AND FOX 



The jaguar, American panther, or as it is usually 

 corrupted by hunters, " painter " — is* one of the 

 most formidable animals encountered in the forests 

 of this continent. It belongs to the cat tribe, and in 

 its manner of springing upon its prey, as well as in 

 many other particulars, it resembles the domestic 

 cat. Its color is the same as the deer, changing in 

 May with its new coat to a red, which changes again 

 to a bluish color in October. They subsist entirely 

 upon animal food, their usual prey being deer and 

 rabbits. About the first of January, is called the 

 running season, being the time when they mate. 

 When the first snows of winter come, they seek the 

 rocky hills and sheltered places, where they remain 

 until driven forth by hunger, when they frequently 

 visit the farmyards of the settlers, and help them- 

 selves to any sheep or fowl that is within their reach. 

 From an Isrealitish antipathy to pork, or some other 

 cause, they never attack a hog, passing by good fat 

 ones to reach other animals. A half-grown panther 

 once entered a poultry-house at night, making such 

 a disturbance that it was heard in the dwelling by 

 two/emales, who were the only ones at home. They 



