1718 Animals of Peru. 



the most fierce of all these wild forest animals are those of the feline class. The spot- 

 less dark-gray yaguarundi, not much larger than the wild cat of Europe, pursues all 

 kinds of birds, particularly the pigeon, the partridge, and the penelope. The oscollo 

 (Felis celidogaster, Tern.), the uturunca (F. pardalis, L.), and the long-tailed, yellow- 

 ish-gray tiger-cat (F. macroura, Pr. Max.), all lie in wait, not only for the weaker 

 Mammalia, but sometimes they even venture into the plantations and kill dogs and 

 poultry. The maneless Mexican lion (the puma), roams through the upper regions 

 of the forest, where he has almost undisputed hunting-ground. He fearlessly assails 

 victims who cannot effectually defend themselves, such as the horse, the mule, and the 

 ass, and he tears large pieces of flesh from their ribs ; but he does not venture to 

 meddle with oxen. He shuns men, and in the forest he even flies from the unarmed 

 Indian. I fired at a very large puma, which immediately fled, roaring loudly. When 

 severely wounded and driven into a corner, this animal frequently commences a com- 

 bat of despair, and sometimes kills the hunter. The puma measures in length about 

 four feet, and in height more than two feet. More direful than any of the felines 

 mentioned above is the sanguinary ounce,* which possesses vast strength, and is of a 

 most savage disposition. Though the favourite haunts of this animal are the expan- 

 sive pajonales, yet he frequently takes up his abode in the vicinity of villages and plan- 

 tations, spreading terror among the inhabitants. Far from being intimidated at the 

 sight of man, he often attacks individuals ; and when pressed by hunger is not afraid, 

 even in broad daylight, to slip into the forest villages in order to carry off food, and 

 the booty, when once seized, is not easily recovered. 



" An amusing example of this occurred in the Montana of Vitoc. An Indian one 

 night heard his only pig squeaking loudly, as if in pain. He hastened to the door of 

 his hut to see what was the matter, and he discovered that an ounce had seized the 

 pig by the head, and was carrying it off. The cholo, who determined to make an ef- 

 fort to recover his property, seized the pig by the hind-legs, and endeavoured to drag 

 it from the grasp of the robber. This contest was kept up for some time, the ounce, 

 with his eyes glaring in the darkness , holding fast the head of the pig, and the Indian 

 pulling it hard by the legs. At length the Indian's wife came to the door of the hut 

 with a lighted faggot, and the scared ounce, with terrible howlings, slowly retired to 

 the forest. In general the Indians have a great dread of these animals, and seldom 

 venture singly into the parts they frequent. The ounce-hunter is the only one who 

 ventures to approach them. He is armed with a long spear, with which he gives the 

 ferocious animal a death-blow. He lets the ounce come within a few paces of him 

 without making the least show either of flight or attack. If, however, the stroke he 

 aims does not immediately reach the seat of life, the hunter, in general, becomes the 

 victim of his bold attempt. Before he can stand on his defence, the wounded ounce 

 drags him to the ground, and tears the flesh from his bones. 



" Sometimes the villagers collect their dogs together for a general hunt. They 

 drive the ounce into a place from whence there is no escape, or often up a tree, where 

 they shoot him with long arrows sent from their bows or blow-tubes. In a few places 

 snares are laid, or large holes are dug, and a sharp-pointed stake is stuck in the middle, 

 covered with stalks and branches of trees, on which the bait is laid. The ounce is, 



* The Indian name for this animal is chaque chinca. The black variety, yana 

 chinca, is called by the Spaniards tit/re or yaguar. 



