82 THE WONDERS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 



in a state of captivity, for if a [bird be given to it, it does not devour the whole of the feathers, but 

 proceeds in a very systematic manner to pluck it, always commencing its meal with the head, to which 

 it appears particularly partial. The smaller quadrupeds, such as hares and rabbits, are also the object 

 of its pursuit ; indeed, in a state of confinement, it is sometimes fed on the latter. The ocelot, how- 

 ever, does not devour its food with the same rapacity which characterizes the other species of the ca 

 tribe, nor in its appetite is it so insatiable. 



The task of taming this animal would perhaps not be one of great difficulty, for D'Azara speaks of 

 one which was so completely domesticated, as to be allowed to range whithersoever it pleased, 

 evincing a strong attachment to its master, and never attempting to make its escape. In confinement, 

 it is a most restless animal, continually pacing its cage backwards and forwards, which renders it an 

 arduous task for the artist to obtain a correct outline of its form, for, unless in a state of sleep, it is 

 scarcely ever two minutes in the same attitude. 



The ocelot, according to D'Azara, is so common in Paraguay, that, within two miles of the town of 

 St. Ignatius, eighteen were caught in two years ; yet, notwithstanding this apparent abundance, it is 

 very little known, because the dogs are very seldom able to find it, or to penetrate to its retreats. It 

 passes the day in the most impenetrable recesses, and emerges from its retreat in dark and tempestuous 

 nights, penetrating into the very courts and yards without the dogs perceiving it. On moonlight 

 nights it does not frequent inhabited places, nor is it at that time ever caught in the snares which are 

 laid for it. It is in vain to attempt to shoot it, because its sense of smell is so very acute, that it 

 scents the hunter at a considerable distance, and immediately betakes itself to flight before the hunter 

 can well obtain a sight of it. It lias seldom or never been known to attack a man, although in defence 

 of its young it possesses all the ferocity characteristic of the larger species of its tribe. It brings 

 forth two at a time, and the breeding season generally commences about October; and it appears that 

 every family of the ocelot lias its separate district, as it happens that a male and female are always 

 caught in the same place. They defend any encroachment upon their territory with the most deter- 

 mined ferocity, the male and female fighting promiscuously, and death is very often the consequence 

 of these conflicts. 



It has been observed, particularly by those who have watched the habits of this animal in a state of 

 captivity, that it does not possess the cleanliness belonging to the cat tribe, as it appears that it always 

 manifests a disposition to void its excrements in the vessel in which the water for its daily beverage is 

 placed. This, however, is not observable in either of the animals confined in the Tower, or in the 

 Menagery of Mr. Cross ; on the contrary, their habits exhibit no other indications of uncleanliness, 

 than what must naturally be the result of their state of captivity. 



The power which the ocelot possesses of ascending trees is very remarkable. It is stated by 

 M. Sonnini, that he has seen marks of the claws of the ocelot in the smooth bark of a tree, which was 

 between forty and fifty feet in height, and which had not a single branch except at the top. He says 

 that it was easy to remark the efforts which the animal had made ; although he had pierced through the 

 bark deeply into the wood, he had evidently slipped more than once, but he had surmounted every 

 difficulty, and attracted no doubt by some prey peculiarly alluring, had attained the summit. 



