[Illustration: Pumas Fighting over Vultures.]
The Puma or Cougar, formerly improperly called the American Lion, is an
animal about four and a half feet long, and of an uniform fawn color
without any spots. It inhabits Paraguay, Brazil, Guiana, Mexico and the
United States. It has the general appearance of a Lioness, without
possessing its dimensions.
This animal is alike remarkable for stealth and agility. It makes great
ravages among the herds, and differs from the other Cats, in slaying
numerous victims before it commences to feed. To carry off the smaller
domestic animals, it visits human habitations during the night. It
prefers living in the open country, yet it climbs trees; its agility is
such, that at one bound it can ascend upwards of twenty feet.
The Puma is easily tamed, when it knows its master, and receives his
caresses with pleasure. No inconvenience results from allowing it to run
at liberty. The celebrated English actor, Kean, had a Puma which
followed him like a Dog, and kept close to him in the most crowded
assembly.