1902.] MR, H. PaiCHARD ON PATAGONIAN MAMMALS. 273 



Save for the attacks of the Pumas, Xenelaphus bisulcus lives 

 pretty well undisturbed in its fastnesses. The Indians do not 

 hunt the Huemul, as in the forest-land their horses and holeadores 

 ai-e comparatively useless. They do occasionally kill a few, which 

 may have strayed to the foothills and to the shores of the lakes. 



These deer, which know little of man, are in general very 

 confiding. Near the Colony of the 16th October, Jones told me 

 that they had become very wary and difficult of access, as was to 

 be expected in a region where they are constantly hunted. In 

 the unpenetrated districts the buck is very courageous in the 

 I'utting- season, and has been known to make some show of 

 attacking man. On open ground, according to my experience, 

 they showed wonderfully little timidity, and would wait the 

 appi-oach of man, but inside the forests they invariably dashed 

 away on catching a glimpse of one of our party. 



When it has observed something unusual in its surroundings, 

 the Huemul will remain watching and without moving for a great 

 space of time. On one occasion, I saw near Lake Argentine a 

 buck and doe about a quai-ter of a mile away. I lay under a bush, 

 watching some wild cattle, and the Huemuls stood and watched 

 me for nearly an hour. They were about 10 yards apart. On 

 my returning to the same spot in the evening, I found them still 

 watching my horse, which I had tied up in their view. 



In one or two instances, when I fired at a Huemul, the others 

 of the herd have run towai-ds the noise. Once this occuired 

 when I was in full sight of the animals. If, however, you have 

 a dog with you, they will immediately take to flight. 



Musters, in his ' Travels in Patagonia,' mentions a "red" deer. 

 Of this I could find no trace ; so that I conclude that he probably 

 referred to Xenelaphus bisulcus under this name. 



2. The Puma. {Felis concolor puma.) 

 {Lion of the English settlers ; Leon of the Argentines, Chilians, 

 and Gauchos ; Gol of the Tehuelches.) 



The distribution of Felis concolor puma extends over the entire 

 country of Patagonia. It is to be found in the Cordillera as on 

 the pampas. I came upon tracks of this animal at the end of the 

 north-west arm of Lake Argentine, about long. 73° 14', and I 

 also saw a Puma at the south-western extremity of that lake. 

 Evidence of their existence accompanied the whole itinerary of 

 the expedition throughout the entire route it covei'ed. The 

 number of Pumas in Patagonia is very great, more so than any 

 traveller has as yet given any idea of. Two pioneers killed 73 

 in one winter near Lake Argentine. Near San Julian immense 

 numbei's are yearly destroyed, but now, owing to the advent of 

 settlers, their numbers are decreasing. At Bahia Camei-ones, on 

 the farm of Mr. Greenshields, 14 Pumas were killed during the 

 winter of 1900. 



A female killed near Santa Cruz measured 6 feet 10 inches ; 

 and a male killed near Lake Argentine, 8 feet 1 inch. 



