THE SKULL OF A YAGUARONDI 



":"::"*i: TWO BIRD -LOVERS IN MEXICO M=^ 



Near the edge of the swamp, we were startled by 

 a sudden snarl, and a long-tailed, dark, furry creature 



dashed off through 

 the bushes, sjDring- 

 ing silently over the 

 soft mould. We had 

 no idea as to what it 

 was, but we found 

 its tracks to be small 

 and cat-like. Search- 

 ing the place from 

 which it sprang, we 

 came across a scat- 

 tered mass of bones 

 and dried skin, which the vultures had evidently picked 

 clean. The skull of the creature was in almost perfect 

 condition, and we preserved it for identification. It 

 proved to be that of a Yaguarondi, a Mexican cat which 

 we had never expected to find in this part of the 

 country. There was very little doubt that the animal 

 which fled at our approach was also of this species, and 

 a few minutes later another, clearer view proved that 

 our surmise was correct. 



What could have been its errand near the bones 

 of its dead comrade ? Piles of scattered feathers here 

 and there in our path showed where unfortunate 

 Boat-bills had fallen victims to Yaguarondis, or to 

 other beasts. 



•.«4 326 ^" 



