THE OCELOT. 47 



Native abode Favourite prey. 



spots, and the tail is marked in the same manner. 

 The colours of the female are less vivid, and also 

 less beautifully arranged than those of the male. 



The ocelot lives chiefly in the mountains, and 

 conceals itself in the leafy tops of trees, whence 

 it darts upon such animals as come within its 

 reach. Tt sometimes stretches itself along the 

 branches, as if it were dead, till the monkeys, 

 propelled by their natural curiosity, come within 

 reach, and experience the fatal effects of their 

 temerity. It is a native of South America. 



When it has taken its prey, this animal is said 

 to prefer the blood before the flesh. A male arid 

 a female ocelot, which had been taken very 

 young, were some years ago brought to Paris. 

 At the age of three months they became so 

 strong and fierce, as to kill a bitch that had been 

 put to them as a nurse. And on alive cat being 

 thrown to them, they immediately killed it, and 

 sucked the blood, but did not devour the flesh. 

 The male never allowed the female to partake of 

 }iis food until he had satisfied his own appetite. 



One of these animals, exhibited at Newcastle, 

 although extremely old, showed evident marks of 

 uri tameable ferocity, and \vould not admit of any 

 familiarities from the keeper, but growled conti- 

 nually, and always appeared extremely restless. 



