THE MOUNTAIN LION 191 



the colt; but each time the mother was between 

 them. Then, watching his chance, he boldly 

 leaped at the mare, endeavouring to throw a 

 forepaw round her neck and, at the same in- 

 stant, to seize and tear the throat with his savage 

 teeth. He nearly succeeded. 



With the lion clinging and tearing at her head, 

 the audacious mare reared almost straight on 

 her hind legs and threw herself backward. 

 This either threw the lion off or he let go. She 

 had her nose badly clawed and got a bite in the 

 neck; but she was first to recover, and a kick 

 landed upon the lion's hip. Crippled, he strug- 

 gled and hurried tumbling away into the woods, 

 while the bleeding mare paused to breathe be- 

 side the untouched colt. 



The mountain lion is called a puma, cata- 

 mount, panther, painter, or cougar, and was 

 originally found all over North America. Of 

 course he shows variations due to local climate 

 and food. 



The lion is stealthy, exceedingly cunning, 

 and curious in the extreme; but I am not ready, 

 as many are, to call him cowardly. He does 

 not have that spectacular rash bravery which 

 dashes into the face of almost certain death; 

 but he is courageous enough when necessity 

 requires him to procure food or to defend him- 

 self and his kind. He simply adapts himself 



