312 
COUGAR. 
as is evidenced by the common cat, in what is denominated caterwaul- 
ing. We have observed the same habit in the leopard, the ocelot, and in 
our two species of lynx. It is not impossible, therefore, that the male 
Cougar, may at the rutting season have some peculiar and startling notes. 
The cries, however, to which persons have from time to time directed our 
attention, as belonging to the Cougar, we were well convinced were ut- 
tered by other animals. In one instance, we ascertained them to proceed 
from a red fox which was killed in the hunt, got up for the purpose of kill- 
ing the Cougar. In other cases the screams of the great horned, the bar- 
red, or the screech owl are mistaken for the cries of this animal. 
The female Cougar is a most affectionate mother, and will not leave 
her young cubs, unless occasionally to procure food to support her own 
strength ; she therefore often becomes very lean and poor. The female 
we have figured, was in this condition ; W’e procured one of her cubs and 
figured it, presenting its beautiful spots, seldom before noticed. The other 
made its escape. 
The whelps are suckled by the dam until about half grown, and then 
hunt with the old ones (which generally go in pairs) until the mother is 
with young again, or the young ones find mates for themselves, and begin 
to breed. 
The period of gestation of the Cougar is ninety-seven days, as has been 
ascertained at the Zoological Society of London, (Proceedings, 1832 , 
p. 62 .) In the Northern and Middle States, the young are produced in the 
spring. In the Southern States, however, where the animal is supplied 
with an abundance of food, and not much incommoded by the cold, the 
the young have in some instances been discovered in autumn. J. W. 
Audubon found, in Texas, young Cougars nearly half grown in February. 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
This species has a wide geographical range. It was formerly found in 
all the Northern and Eastern States, and we have seen a specimen pro- 
cured in Upper Canada. The climates of Lower Canada, New Found- 
land, and Labrador, appear to be too cold for its permanent residence. 
In all the Atlantic States it was formerly found, and a few still exist in 
the less cultivated portions. It is occasionallj^ shot in the extensive 
swamps, along the river courses of Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and 
Louisiana ; it is found sparingly on the whole range of the Alleghanies, 
running through a considerable portion of the United States. It has cross- 
ed the Rocky Mountains, and exists on the Pacific, in Oregon and Cali' 
fornia ; it is quite abundant in Florida and Texas ; is found within the 
