wild fowl, rabbits and all of the smaller mammals, and often wreaks 

 dire havoc if allowed to lurk in the vicinity of a cattle ranch or 

 sheep fold, since the flesh of colts and lambs is considered an 

 especial delicacy by him. 



The puma's home depends chiefly upon the character of the 

 country where he lives. In rocky regions he will make his lair in a 

 crevice between the cliffs, but in the woods, a hollow log, stump or 

 tree will please him quite as well. In the badlands he contrives a 

 sort of burrow in the wash-out holes, while best of all perhaps he 

 likes a den under a pile of brush or undergrowth in some thicket. 

 Their kittens, usually from two to five in number, are peculiar in 

 that their tawny fur is marked with dark spots, giving them more 

 resemblance to most cats than have their parents. At the age of 

 six months these spots begin to fade and soon entirely disappear. 



77 



