272. AUDUBON THE NATURALIST 
Like the cougar and the wild cat, he seeks for 
the peccary, the skunk, opossum, and the smaller 
rodentia; but is fond of attacking the larger 
quadrupeds, giving the preference to mustangs 
or horses, mules, or cattle. The colts and calves 
especially afford him an easy prey, and form 
a most important item in the grand result of his 
predatory expeditions. — 
Like the lion and tiger, he accomplishes by 
stealth or stratagem what could not be effected 
by his swiftness of foot, and does not, like the 
untiring wolf, pursue his prey with indomitable 
perseverance at top speed for hours together, 
although he will sneak after a man or any other 
prey for half a day at a time, or hang on the 
skirts of a party for a considerable period, watch- 
ing for an opportunity of springing upon some 
person or animal in the train. 
Col. Hays and several other officers of the 
rangers, at the time J. W. Audubon was at San 
Antonio de Bexar, in 1845, informed him that 
the jaguar was most frequently found about the 
watering-places of the mustangs, or wild horses, 
and deer. It has been seen to spring upon the 
former, and from time to time kills one; but it 
is much more in the habit of attacking colis 
about six months old, which it masters with- 
great case. Col. Hays had killed four jaguars 
during his stay in Texas. These animals are 
