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Show 1902.] MR. H. PRICHARD ON PATAGONIAN MAMMALS. 273 Save for the attacks of the Pumas, Xenelaphus bisulcus lives pretty well undisturbed in its fastnesses. The Indians do not hunt the Huemul, as in the forest-land their horses and boleadores are comparatively useless. They do occasionally kill a few, which may have strayed to the foothills and to the shores of the lakes. These deer, which know little of man, are in general very confiding. Near the Colony of the 16th October, Jones told me that they had become very wary and difficult of access, as was to be expected in a region where they are constantly hunted. In the impenetrated districts the buck is very courageous in the rutting-season, and has been known to make some show of attacking man. On open ground, according to my experience, they showed wonderfully little timidity, and would wait the approach of man, but inside the forests they invariably dashed away on catching a glimpse of one of our party. When it has observed something unusual in its surroundings, the Huemul will remain watching and without moving for a great space of time. On one occasion, I saw near Lake Argentino a buck and doe about a quarter of a mile away. I lay under a bush, watching some wild cattle, and the Huemuls stood and watched me for nearly an hour. They were about 10 yards apart. On my returning to the same spot in the evening, I found them still watching my horse, which I had tied up in their view. In one or two instances, when I fired at a Huemul, the others of the herd have run towards the noise. Once this occurred when I was in full sight of the animals. If, however, you have a dog with you, they will immediately take to flight. Musters, in his ' Travels in Patagonia,' mentions a "red" deer. Of this I could find no trace; so that I conclude that he probably referred to Xenelaphus bisulcus under this name. 2. THE PUMA. (Felis concolor puma.) (Lion of the English settlers; Leon of the Argentines, Chilians, and Gauchos ; Gol of the Tehuelches.) The distribution of Felis concolor puma extends over the entire country of Patagonia. It is to be found in the Cordillera as on the pampas. I came upon tracks of this animal at the end of the north-west arm of Lake Argentino, about long. 73° 14', and I also saw a Puma at the south-western extremity of that lake. Evidence of their existence accompanied the whole itinerary of the expedition throughout the entire route it covered. The number of Pumas in Patagonia is very great, more so than any traveller has as yet given any idea of. Two pioneers killed 73 in one winter near Lake Argentino. Near San Julian immense numbers are yearly destroyed, but now, owing to the advent of settlers, their numbers are decreasing. At Bahia Camerones, on the farm of Mr. Greenshields, 14 Pumas were killed during the winter of 1900. A female killed near Santa Cruz measured 6 feet 10 inches; and a male killed near Lake Argentino, 8 feet 1 inch. |