82 MAMMALS

from New England and British Columbia in the
north to Tierra del Fuego in the south. As his
specific name implies, he is all of one colour, a tawny |
brown, which is, however, much lighter in shade
below. In the young, however, there are distinct
spots, evidently a case of atavism, as with the young
of the lion. Pumas over eight feet long from the tip
of the nose to the tip of the tail have been reported,
as also have entirely white specimens ; but these are
exceptional ; the average length is about seven fect.
The puma is amzgo del cristeano, which we may
translate, not too literally, as the ‘white man’s friend.’
He rarely attacks man unless forced to do so.
As Mr. Lydekker observes in Zhe Royal Natural
History, ‘It is notorious that, in places where pumas
abound, it is perfectly safe for a child to wander alone,
and even sleep, on the pampas.’ But this respect
and good-fellowship extend to man alone. ‘Very
different is the behaviour of the puma when attacked
by a hunter accompanied by dogs. At such times
the animal is roused to the fiercest paroxysms of
rage ; and with hair erect and eyes flashing like balls
of lurid fire, it rushes, spitting and snarling, on the
dogs, utterly regardless of the presence of the hunter,
So thoroughly, indeed, is the hunter ignored on such
occasions, that he may actually belabour the puma
on the head with a cudgel without drawing its attack
upon himself, the animal receiving such blows with-
out retaliation, and calmly waiting its opportunity of
making a rush upon the dogs.’ And he is quite as
hostile to a far more formidable foe, the jaguar. ‘It
is well known, says Mr. W. H. Hudson, ‘that, where