light gray spotted with a darker shade detracts not at all from its 

 beauty. 



Among his native haunts this indistinctness of coloring adds 

 greatly to his protection since it serves as a perfect disguise against 

 almost any background. It is also of immense assistance to him in 

 securing his food as his success often depends upon his ability to 

 remain unseen until his prey comes within reach. His length of 

 limbs, however, indicates that he may, upon occasion, prove an ex- 

 cellent hunter, although one would hardl} call his gait graceful, as 

 he travels in springing leaps, arching his back as he leaves the 

 ground, and coming down on all four feet at once. 



Thanks to his broad and hairy paws, this curious motion is 

 attended with the utmost stillness and he may alight in equal securi- 

 ty on the yielding crust of snow or dry leaves and brittle twigs, with 

 no danger of warning a possible victim of his approach. His skill 

 both at swimming and climbing offers him a wide selection from 



