THE OCELOT. og

to him in South America:—He was trying to shoot some
wild ducks, and, in order to approach them unperceived, he
put the corner of his poncho (which is a sort of long narrow
blanket) over his head, and crawling along the ground upon
his hands and knees, the poncho not only covered his body,
but trailed along the ground behind him. As he was thus
creeping by a large bush of reeds, he heard a loud, sudden
noise, between a bark and a roar: he felt something heavy
strike his feet, and, instantly jumping up, he saw, to his
astonishment, a large puma actually standing on his poncho;
and, perhaps, the animal was equally astonished to find
himself in the immediate presence of so athletica man. The
man told me he was unwilling to fire, as his gun was loaded
with very small shot; and he therefore remained motionless,
the puma standing on his poncho for many seconds; at last
the creature turned his head, and walking very slowly away
about ten yards, he stopped, and turned again: the man still
maintained his ground, upon which the puma tacitly acknow-
ledged his supremacy, and walked off.”

The Ocelot. The Ocelot is a native of South America and
one of the most beautiful of the Cat family. It is smaller
than the Leopard, attaining to about three feet in length, and
eighteen inches in height. Its colour is grey, tinged with
fawn and the body and legs are covered with longitudinal
chainlike stripes broken into patches of some inches. Its
habits are like those of its near relations, the Leopard and
the Jaguar, though its appetite for blood makes it perhaps
even more destructive. It will suck blood with the greatest
avidity and frequently leave a carcase otherwise untouched
in order to pursue other animals for the sake of more blood.
When tame the Ocelot is remarkably playful, climbing up
the legs and nestling in the arms of its benefactors. It is
apt to be dangerous in a poultry yard but will keep good
friends with a house dog, and play, somewhat roughly, per-
haps, but without malice, with children.