Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 91, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1917 — LARGEST OF AMERICAN CATS [ARTICLE]

LARGEST OF AMERICAN CATS

Jaguar Not Only Holds Championship in Size, but He Is Also Handsomest of His Class. The jaguar or “el tigre,” as it is generally known throughout Spanish America, is the largest and handsomest of American cats. Its size and deep yellow color, profusely marked with black spots and rosettes, give it a close resemblance to the African leopard. It is, however, a heavier and more powerful animal % . In parts of the dense tropical forest of South America coaljaguars occur, and while representing merely a color phase, they are supposed to be much fiercer than the ordinary animal. Although so large and powerful, the jaguar has none of the truculent ferocity of the African leopard. During the years I spent in Its country, mainly in the open, I made careful inquiry without hearing of a single case where one hud attacked human beings. •* In one locality on the Pacific coast of Guerrero'! found that the hardier natives had an interesting method of hunting the “tigre” during the mating period. At such times the male has the habit of leaving its lair near the ' head of a small canyon in the foothills early in the evening ami following down the canyon for some distance, at intervals uttering a sjibdued roar. ’ On moonlight nights at this time the huntef places an expert natjve with a short wooden trumpet near the mouth of the canyon to imitate the “tigre’s” . call as soon as it is heard and to repeat the cry at proper Intervals. After placing the caller, the hunter ascends the canyon several hundred yards, and, gun in hand, awaits the approach of the animal. The natives have many amusing tales of the sudden exit of untried hunters when the approaching animal 1 unexpectedly uttered its roar at Close quarters. —E. VV. Nelson, in the National Geographical Magazine.