THE MOUNTAIN LION 193 
two out-reaching tree limbs not more than eight 
feet above me. His hind feet were upon one 
limb, his forefeet upon a lower limb, and he 
was looking down, watching me curiously. He 
remained in this position for several minutes,’ 
then turned quietly, descended the tree on the 
opposite side, and walked away into the woods. 
It is probable that lions mate for life. Some- 
times they live year after year in the same den 
and prowl over the same local territory. This 
territory, I think, is rarely more than a few 
miles across; though where food is scarce or a 
good den not desirably located, they may cover 
a larger territory. 
Lions commonly live in a den of their own 
making. This is sometimes dug in loose sand 
or soil where its entrance is concealed among 
bushes. Sometimes it is beneath a fallen log 
or a tree root, and in other places a semi-den, 
beneath rocks, is enlarged. In this den the 
young are born, and the old ones may use it a 
part of each year, and for year after year. 
Though occasionally a mother lion may raise 
as many as five kittens, rarely does she succeed 
in raising more than two; and I think only two 
are commonly brought forth at a birth. These 
kittens probably remain with the mother for 
nearly a year, and in exceptional cases even 
longer. As I have seen either kittens or their 
