60 POPULAR OFFICIAL GUIDK. 



lay as to the Altai Mountains of Mongolia, above 9,000 feet. 

 It is the neighbor of the Marco Polo sheep, the giant- 

 horned argali, and the Siberian ibex. In its home country, 

 this creature is sufficiently numerous that 2.000 tanned skins 

 sometimes reach Shanghai in a single year, but owing to its 

 great distance from railways and sea, not more than fifteen 

 or twenty specimens have reached the zoological gardens of 

 Europe and America. Up to 1907, we have possessed three 

 specimens, one of which was living on January 1. 1907. 

 Some individuals are good-natured and playful, but others 

 are morose. 



The Puma, or Mountain Lion, (Fells concolor), is the 

 most widely-known feline in North America. At present 

 it is at home in Florida, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, 

 Texas, and all the states westward thereof. Southward it 

 inhabits Mexico and Central America, and ranges through 

 South America quite down to southern Patagonia. It at- 

 tains its maximum size (8 feet in length, weight 225 pounds) 

 in Colorado, where it appears to be more numerous than in 

 any other state. In Koutt County it is hunted very success- 

 fully with dogs. When pursued, it is compelled to take 

 refuge in a low tree, in which it can be photographed or shot 

 without danger. 



Despite the numerous thrilling stories that have been 

 written and published about the dangerous doings of this 

 animal, it is by no means really dangerous to man. No 

 Puma holding an option on a safe line of retreat ever stops 

 to fight a man. 



The Puma was formed for agility rather than strength. 

 It swims well, and it is the most agile climber of all the 

 large felines. The head of this animal is particularly beau- 

 tiful, and its temper in captivity is entirely satisfactory. 

 The first specimen of this species to enter the Zoological 

 Park came from Peru, as a gift from Mr. Joseph P. Grace, 

 and during the years 1901 and 1902 it lived out doors, con- 

 stantly, in the Puma Plouse (No. 33A), where its health was 

 excellent. 



THE SEA-LIONS, No. 12. 



Of all animals which find permanent homes in zoological 

 gardens and parks, very few afford the public more con- 

 stant entertainment than Sea-Lions. They are delightfully 



