84 Anecdotal Natural History, 



tawny brown, in some specimens being much more 

 brilliant than in others. A black variety is occasionally 

 met with, just as is the case in the leopard, the whole 

 fur assuming the dusky hue of the spots, which are 

 very indistinct, and only to be distinguished in certain 

 lights. 



Like the tiger, the jaguar is of an extremely cautious 

 nature, and seldom ventures upon an open attack, un- 

 less his enemy be very much inferior in size and 

 strength to himself. Should he meet with a herd of 

 animals, or a party of travellers, he will dog their 

 steps for miles, hoping to surprise an individual when 

 separated by a short distance from his comrades. 



As regards his food, the jaguar is extremely impar- 

 tial, and preys alike upon all branches of the animal 

 kingdom. His favourite diet is, perhaps, the flesh of 

 the various monkeys which inhabit the American forests, 

 the attainment of which delicacy, however, is attended 

 with considerable difficulty. 



For, though the jaguar is an adept in the art of tree- 

 climbing, and can make his way among the branches 

 with considerable ease and facility, the monkeys are 

 even greater proficients, and, by the quickness and 

 agility of their movements, would soon distance their 

 pursuer if he resorted to open chase. His usual 

 method of obtaining his favourite food, therefore, is by 

 leaping upon the unsuspecting animals from some 

 place of concealment, or by surprising them when 

 asleep. In such a case a few strokes of his powerful 

 paw dash several of the animals to the ground, where 

 their assailant can devour them at his leisure. 



Another favourite delicacy is the flesh of the peccary, 

 the procuring of which is fraught with equal difficulty 

 and far more danger than is the case with the 

 monkeys. 



For the peccary is distinguished by the possession 



