06 THE TOWER MENAGERIE. 
during the day, and prowling abroad at night in search 
of victims, which it finds in the smaller quadrupeds 
and birds. In the chase of the latter it is particularly 
successful, pursuing them even to their nests amid the 
trees, which it climbs with the greatest agility. It is 
easily tamed, but seldom loses all trace of its natural 
ferocity. D’Azara, however, speaks of one which was so 
completely domiciliated as to be left at perfect liberty ; 
it was strongly attached to its master, and never attempted 
to make its escape. The specimen in the Tower, which is 
a male, is perfectly good tempered, exceedingly fond of 
play, and has, in fact, much of the character and manners 
of the domestic cat. Its food consists principally of 
rabbits and of birds, the latter of which it plucks with 
the greatest dexterity, and always commences its meal 
with their heads, of which it appears to be particularly 
fond. It does not eat with the same ravenous avidity 
which characterizes nearly all the animals of his tribe. 
