THE STORY OF THE MOUNTAIN LION. 



129 



on horses to the colts, but will also attack and kill full-grown adults. The 

 same is true for cattle, among" which calves more generally, and cows rarely, 

 fall victims to the puma's rapacity. Horned cattle are, however, less preferred 

 than sheep, which, next to horse-flesh, forms its favorite food in pastoral dis- 

 tricts. Indeed, so partial are pumas to mutton, that one has been known tO' 

 make use of a calf-pen as a place of concealment from which to raid on a sheep- 

 fold, passing through the former without offering to molest its tenants. 



A PERFECT SPECIMEN OF MOUNTAIN LION. 



The acme of daring on the part of the South American puma is, however, 

 reached in the attacks which it makes upon the jaguar; and it appears that 

 in North America the puma exhibits an equally marked hostility to the grizzly 

 bear. In these respects the puma is undoubtedly entitled to be regarded as one 

 of the boldest and fiercest of carnivores in proportion to its size. 



I once, and once only, killed a puma, and nothing will induce me to kill 

 another. On the occasion referred to a puma was found, which sat perfectly 

 still with its back against a stone, not even moving when lassoed. I dis- 



