THE OCELOT. 



QJ 



(^ HE smaller spotted and striped 

 ^ species of the genus Feiis^ 



of both the old and the new 

 '^~*~ world, are commonly called 

 Tiger-Cats. Of these one of the best 

 known and most beautifully marked, 

 peculiar to the American continent, 

 according to authority, has received 

 the name of Ocelot, Fv/is pardalis^ 

 thouofh zoologists are still undecided 

 whether under this name several 

 distinct species have not been included, 

 or whether all the Ocelots are to be 

 referred to as a single species showing 

 individual or racial variation. Their 

 fur has always a tawny yellow or 

 reddish-grey ground color, and is 

 marked with black spots, aggregated 

 in streaks and blotches, or in elongated 

 rings inclosing an area which is rather 

 darker than the general ground color. 

 They range through the wooded parts 

 of Tropical America, from Arkansas to 

 Paraguay, and in their habits resemble 

 the other smaller members of the cat 

 tribe, being ready climbers and exceed- 

 ingly blood-thirsty. 



The fierceness of the disposition of 

 this animal, usually called by the 

 common name of Wild Cat, and its 

 strength and agility, are well known, 

 for although it is said that it does not 

 seek to attack man, yet " when dis- 

 turbed in its lair or hemmed in, it will 

 spring with tiger-like ferocity on its 

 opponent, every hair on its body 

 bristling with rage," and is altogether 

 an ugly customer to meet with. 



It was long believed that the Ocelot 

 was the offspring of the domestic cat, 

 but it is now known to be distinct from 

 the wild form of our woods. One 

 would scarcely wish to stroke the 



Wild Cat's hair in any direction. As 

 soon as the young are able to see and 

 crawl, their savage nature is apparent, 

 and they cannot be tamed. They are 

 not often hunted, but when accidentally 

 met with by the hunter are despatched 

 as quickly as possible. 



In length the Ocelot rather exceeds 

 four feet, of which the tail occupies a 

 considerable portion. The height 

 averages about eighteen inches. On 

 account of the beauty of the fur the 

 skin is valued for home use and expor- 

 tation, and is extensively employed in 

 the manufacture of various fancy 

 articles of dress or luxury. It may be 

 said to be a true leopard in miniature. 



In its native wilds the Ocelot seeks 

 its food chiefly among the smaller 

 mammalia and birds, although it is 

 strong enough to attack and destroy 

 a moderate sized monkey. It chases 

 the monkeys into the tree branches, 

 and is nearly as expert a climber as 

 they are, but, as it cannot follow 

 the birds into the airy region, it is 

 forced to match its cunning against 

 their wings, and it rarely secures them. 

 As is often done by the domestic cat 

 it can spring amongst a flock of birds 

 as they rise from the ground, and, 

 leaping into the air, strike down 

 one or more of them with its 

 swift paw. But its usual method of 

 securing birds is by concealing itself 

 among the branches of a tree and 

 suddenly knocking them over as they 

 inisuspiciously settle within reach of 

 the hidden foe. 



The movements of the Tiger-cat are 

 graceful and elegant, and few speci- 

 mens of animal life found in our 

 zoological gardens are more interesting. 



30 



