THE SERVAL. 
147 
are his movements, that, even if a bird has risen upon the wing, he can often make one of his 
wonderful bounds, and with a light, quick stroke, arrest the winged prey before it has had 
time to soar beyond his reach. As to the fish, the Jaguar watches for them at the water side, 
and as soon as an unfortunate fish happens to swim within reach of the spotted foe, a nimble 
paw, with outstretched talons, is suddenly thrust forth, and the fish swept out of the water 
upon dry land. 
The Jaguar is quite as suspicious and cautious an animal as any of the Old World felidse, 
and never will make an open attack upon man or beast. Should a solitary animal pass within 
reach, the Jaguar hesitates not in pouncing upon it ; but if a herd of animals, or a party of 
men, should be travelling together, the Jaguar becomes very cautious, and will dog their steps 
for many miles, in hopes of securing one of the party in the act of straggling. If the J aguar 
should be very hungry indeed, and unable to wait patiently, it will yet temper audacity with 
caution, and though it will, under that urgent necessity, seize one out of the number, it will 
always choose that individual which is hindermost, hoping to escape with its prey before the 
companions can come to the rescue. A Jaguar has been known to follow the track of travel- 
lers for days together, only daring to show itself at rare intervals. 
In the countries where the Jaguar most abounds, many tales are rife respecting the 
strength, agility, and audacity of this fierce animal. When the earlier settlers fixed their 
rough wooden huts in the recesses of the American forests, the Jaguar was one of their most 
persistent and relentless foes. Did they set up a poultry-yard, the Jaguar tore open the hen 
roosts, and ate the fowls. Did they fill their stables with horses, the Jaguar broke their necks, 
and did his best to carry the heavy carcasses to his forest home. Did they establish a piggery, 
the Jaguar snapped up sow and litter ; and in fine, it was hardly possible to secure their live 
stock so effectually that it could not be reached by this ravenous beast. The only resource 
was to kill the Jaguar himself, and so to put an effectual stop to his depredations. But there 
are many Jaguars in a district ; and for a term of years, the toil of ridding the country of these 
fierce marauders was a most arduous one. However, perseverance and indomitable courage 
gained the day at last, and the Jaguars were forced to retire from the habitations of men, and 
hide themselves in the thick uncultivated forest land. 
Its beauty is remarkable ; indeed, this characteristic has gained for it the appellation of 
the American Tiger. It is found as far north as Eastern Texas, extending to Red River, and 
south through Brazil, where it is the terror of all the smaller mammals. Its western limit is 
near the Gfaudeloupe Canon ( Sierra Madre). 
The Jaguar is the representative of the Leopard on this continent, and though larger, is 
very closely allied to it. 
The Zoological collection at Central Park has two fine examples of this great cat, in the 
best condition of adult pelt. 
The large Jaguar lately at the Central Park collection, which belongs to Van Amburg’s 
Menagerie, has been in confinement many years. At one time, while on the road, the cage of 
the large boa constrictor required repairing. Its glass door was newly set in putty. During 
the following night the huge folds of the snake chanced to push the glass from its frame. The 
cage of the Jaguar was near, and the snake having found itself at liberty, paid a neighborly 
visit to the cat. The night watchman, on arriving, in the course of his rounds, at the scene, 
found the Jaguar, whose prowess is not wont to be arraigned for trifles, was crouched in one 
corner of his cage, utterly impotent with fear, and even expressing in his face the torture he 
ras subjected to, while the stolid, unconcerned serpent lay, all innocent of harmful motive, 
oiled around the bars of the cage, his head peering in and out of the perilous presence of the 
great beast. 
The J aguar exhibits his great physical strength in killing and tearing open the great sea 
turtles. Humboldt saw one exceeding the size of the Indian Tiger. 
The superb cut of this cat is a most perfect representation of his characteristics. 
The Seeval, or “ Bosch -katte,” i.e. “ Bush-cat,” as it is appropriately termed by the 
Dutch colonists of the Cape, is an inhabitant of Southern. Africa. It is a very pretty animal. 
