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Show 928 ON THE WOOD-CAT OF ARGENTINA. [Nov. 14, EXPLANATION OF PLATE LXII. Outer side of left ramus of lower jaws of Placental and Marsupial Carnivora. Fig. 1. Hycsnodon leptorhi/nchus (after Graudry), p. 925. 2. Pterodon dasyuroides (afcer Gaudry), p. 925. 3. Borhymna fera (after Ameghino), p. 925. 4. Thylacinus cynocephalus, p. 925. 5. Prothylacinus patayonicus (after Ameghino), p. 925. 6. Amphiproviverra manzaniana (after Ameghino), p. 925. 7. Field-notes on the Wood-Cat of Argentina (Felisgeoffroyi). By E R N E S T GIBSON, F.Z.S. [Eeceived August 9, 1899.] During the last twenty-five years I have had many opportunities of observing the habits of the " Gato Montes " (Felis geoffroyi) in this district, where it is not uncommon, frequenting the woods and grass-coverts. Too wild to approach poultry-yards (notwithstanding Azara's statement), it preys upon small rodents (Gavia australis and Ctenomys brasiliensis) and birds; and I greatly doubt the accusations made as to its attacking young lambs. That it can give a good account of itself with dogs is quite true; and it has been known to fly at man, or even a horseman, when brought to bay. I have seen it taken at night in one of the large and powerful traps employed for the Vizcacha (Lagostomus trichodactylus), and it even broke the chain and went through the surrounding circle of men like a small fiend, trap and all, and was never seen again ; but it will not enter the usual box-trap so successful with our Fox (Canis azarce). The young Wood-cats are generally born in the early spring, and vary in number, as many as six having been reported, but the usual number is two or three. The breeding-place selected is a hollow tree, or a nest is made amongst the pampa-grass. A recently observed unusual site was a lonely abandoned " rancho." It is a curious trait that the Wood-cat will return to its usual den or lair after being hunted out by dogs or shot at; and that after a very short interval. In voice it can be very noisy, especially when wounded: one I shot inside a tree growled aud roared most savagely. The natural woods of the La Plata littoral terminate not far to the south of this locality (I write from 36° 20' S. lat. on the sea-coast), i. e. before the Pampean formation is temporarily broken by the Sierras de Tandil. But the " Gato Montes " is still found as far as the 38th degree, and predominates over its congener, the Jungle or Grass-cat (F. passerum), the two being found in the there unwooded country. And the two species are associated on the treeless plains far inland-on the confines of Cordoba-though Azara only chronicled the latter in that locality (true, that was a hundred years ago !). Nevertheless, I have never heard of any hybrids; and I only wish to establish the fact that, while they |
