CARNIVORA. 59 



he is sometimes seen in the open prairies, and his tracks are found 

 in every crossing place of creeks and bayous where perhaps he 

 may find some calf, cow or bullock that has been sunk and suf- 

 focated in the mire. The Cougar sometimes attacks young cat- 

 tle, but is generally compelled to subsist on small animals, such 

 as young deer, skunks, racoons, &c., or birds, and even will eat 

 carrion when hard pressed by hunger. (Audubon.) 



The Panther is nocturnal in its habits ; not, however, from ne- 

 cessity, as it can see well in day light. It makes its way through 

 tangled forests in searching for prey at night perhaps arousing 

 and affrighting some benighted traveler or wearied hunter, who 

 has bivouacked at the foot of a large tree; and fortunate indeed 

 is he if his rifle fail him not, or if by a burning fire-brand he 

 can frighten away the hungry animal. At the sight of a Pan- 

 ther, horses are thrown into such fright that they " break all fast- 

 enings and fly in every direction." Audubon says, " a respecta- 

 ble gentleman of the state of Mississippi gave us the following 

 account. A friend of his, a cotton planter, one evening while at 

 tea, was startled by a tremendous out-cry among his dogs, and 

 ran out to quiet them, thinking some person, perhaps a neighbor 

 had called to see him. The dogs could not be driven back, but 

 rushed into the house. He seized his horsewhip which hung in- 

 side the hall door, and whipped them all out, as he thought, ex- 

 cept one, which ran under the table. He then took a candle, 

 and looking down, to his surprise and alarm, discovered the sup- 

 posed refractory dog to be a Cougar. He retreated instanter ; 

 the females and children of the family fled, frightened half out 

 of their senses. The Cougar sprang at him he parried the 

 blow with the candle-stick, but the animal flew at him again, 

 leaping forward perpendicularly, striking at his face with the 

 fore feet, and at his body with the hind feet. These attacks he 

 repelled by dealing the Cougar straight-forward blows on its 

 belly with his fists, lightly turning aside and evading its claws 

 as best he could. The Cougar had nearly over-powered him, 

 when luckily, he backed towards the fire-place, and as the ani- 

 mal sprang again at him, dodged him, and the panther almost 

 fell into the fire, at which he was so terrified that he endeavored 

 to escape, and darting out of the door, was immediately attacked 

 again by the dogs, and with their help and a club, was killed." 



The female has three, four, and even five at a litter, but the 

 usual number is two. She shows great affection for her young, 

 never leaving them except to obtain food to support her strength. 



Felis Tigris, (regalis.) The ROYAL TIGER. (PI. IV. fig. 2.) 



This animal infests Hindostan, and the parts of Asia between 



