THE SERVAL. 147 



are Iris movements, that, even if a bird has risen upon the wing, he can often make one of his 

 wonderful bounds, and with a light, quick stroke, arrest the winged prey before it has had 

 time to soar beyond his reach. As to the fish, the Jaguar watches for them at the water side, 

 and as soon as an unfortunate fish happens to swim within reach of the spotted foe, a nimble 

 paw, with outstretched talons, is suddenly thrust forth, and the fish swept out of the water 

 upon dry land. 



The Jaguar is quite as suspicious and cautious an animal as any of the Old World felidse, 

 and never will make an open attack upon man or beast. Should a solitary animal pass within 

 reach, the Jaguar hesitates not in pouncing upon it ; but if a herd of animals, or a party of 

 men, should be travelling together, the Jaguar becomes very cautious, and will dog their steps 

 for many miles, in hopes of securing one of the party in the act of straggling. If the Jaguar 

 should be very hungry indeed, and unable to wait patiently, it will yet temper audacity with 

 caution, and though it will, under that urgent necessity, seize one out of the number, it will 

 always choose that individual which is hindermost, hoping to escape with its prey before the 

 companions can come to the rescue. A Jaguar has been known to follow the track of travel- 

 lers for days together, only daring to show itself at rare intervals. 



In the countries where the Jaguar most abounds, many tales are rife respecting the 

 strength, agility, and audacity of this fierce animal. When the earlier settlers fixed their 

 rough wooden huts in the recesses of the American forests, the Jaguar was one of their most 

 persistent and relentless foes. Did they set up a poultry-yard, the Jaguar tore open the hen- 

 roosts, and ate the fowls. Did they fill their stables with horses, the Jaguar broke their necks, 

 and did his best to carry the heavy carcasses to his forest home. Did they establish a piggery, 

 the Jaguar snapped up sow and litter ; and in fine, it was hardly possible to secure their live 

 stock so effectually that it could not be reached by this ravenous beast. The only resource 

 was to kill the Jaguar himself, and so to put an effectual stop to his depredations. But there 

 are many Jaguars in a district ; and for a term of years, the toil of ridding the country of these 

 fierce marauders was a most arduous one. However, perseverance and indomitable courage 

 gained the day at last, and the Jaguars were forced to retire from the habitations of men, and 

 hide themselves in the thick uncultivated forest land. 



Its beauty is remarkable ; indeed, this characteristic has gained for it the appellation of 

 the American Tiger. It is found as far north as Eastern Texas, extending to Red River, and 

 south through Brazil, where it is the terror of all the smaller mammals. Its western limit is 

 near the Gaudeloupe Canon {Sierra Madre). 



The Jaguar is the representative of the Leopard on this continent, and though larger, is 

 very closely allied to it. 



The Zoological collection at Central Park has two fine examples of this great cat, in the 

 best condition of adult pelt. 



The large Jaguar lately at the Central Park collection, which belongs to Van Amburg's 

 Menagerie, has been in confinement many years. At one time, while on the road, the cage of 

 the large boa constrictor required repairing. Its glass door was newly set in putty. During 

 the following night the huge folds of the snake chanced to push the glass from its frame. The 

 cage of the Jaguar was near, and the snake having found itself at liberty, paid a neighborly 

 visit to the cat. The night watchman, on arriving, in the course of his rounds, at the scene, 

 found the Jaguar, whose prowess is not wont to be arraigned for trifles, was crouched in one 

 corner of his cage, utterly impotent with fear, and even expressing in his face the torture he 

 was subjected to, while the stolid, unconcerned serpent lay, all innocent of harmful motive, 

 coiled aiound the bars of the cage, his head peering in and out of the perilous presence of the 

 great beast. 



The Jaguar exhibits his great physical strength in killing and tearing open the great sea 

 turtles. Humboldt saw one exceeding the size of the Indian Tiger. 



The superb cut of this cat is a most perfect representation of his characteristics. 



The Serval, or "Bosch-katte," i.e. "Bush-cat," as it is appropriately termed by the 

 Dutch colonists of tie Cape, is an inhabitant of Southern Africa. It is a very pretty animal, 



