T H E EY RA .
FELIS EYRA, Fisch. Zoogn. (1 8 1 4 ) p. 228, sp. 13.—Desm. Nouv. Diet. Hist. Nat. (1816) p. 114.—Id. Mamm. (1820) p. 231. no. 364.—C u t .
Ossem. Foss. (1825) vol. iv. p. 439.—Prinz Max. Beitr. Naturg. Brasil. Band. ii. (1826) p. 381.—Griff. Anim. King. (1827) vol. ii.
p. 487, pi. fig. 1.—Less. Man. Mamm. (1 8 2 7 ) p. 195. sp. 527.—Fisch. Syn. Mamm. (1829) p. 213.—Rengg. Zool. Journ. (1835) vol. v.
p. 470.—Azara, Nat. Hist. Quad. Parag. (1838) p. 245.—Less. Compl. Buff. (1839) vol. i. p. 411.—Wagn. Supp. Schreb. (1841)
p. 544.—Burmeist. Syst. Ueber. Thiere Brasil. (1854) p. 90.—Baird, U.S. P.R.R. Expl. Exped. (1857) vol. viii. p. 88.—Id. U.S. Mex.
Bound. Surv. (1 8 5 9 ) p. 10, pi. ii. fig. 1.— Jard. Nat. Libr. vol. xvi. p. 138.—J. E. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. (18 6 7 ) p. 272.—Id. Cat.
Cam. Mamm. (18 6 9 ) p. 23.—Frantzius, Archiv f. Nat. xxxv. 1, p. 278.—Alston, Biol. Cent.-Amer. (1880) p. 64.
CHAT EYRA, Temm. Mon. Mamm. (1827) Append, p. .256.
L’EYRA, Temm. Mon. Mamm. (18 2 7 ) vol. i. p. 156.
FELIS CATUS, var. ß. EYRA, Less. Nouv. Tab. Règn. Anim. (1842) p. 54.
FELIS (HERPAILURUS) EYRA, Severtz. Rev. Mag. Zool, (1858) p. 385.
FELIS UNICOLOR, Baird, Mamm. N. Amer. t. 73. fig. 2.—Traill, Mem. Wem. Acad. vol. iii. p. 478, pl. x.
PANTHERA EYRA, Fitzin. Sitzgsber. Akad. Wiss. Wien, (1869) lix. p. 641.
H a b . Mexico ; Central America ; Guiana ; Brazil ; Paraguay.
T h i s g r a c e f u l species has a very extensive range, having been met with in the State of Taumalipas in Mexico, through
Central America, into South America, on which continent it is found as far south as Paraguay ; I am not aware if it ever
has been noticed west of the Andean range. In form the Eyra is slender and more like the Polecat, is very quick and
graceful in all its motions, and possesses a gentle disposition. Dr. Berlandi&re, who obtained it in Mexico, says that it is
extremely rare there, and is found in the shrubbery growing along the banks of the Rio Grande del Norte. It is called Onza
by some, and Apache by others. He had an individual, a female, given to him when it was very young, which became tame,
but never altogether lost the habits of the wild state; and these were more particularly exhibited when some prey was placed
before it. In every movement it exhibited great lightness and activity, and grew to the size of an ordinary cat, but was
more elongated and slender. It was in the habit of purring like a cat. In Brazil, according to Burmeister, this species is
more common in the inner wooded provinces than in the coast region. Azara had one of this species in Paraguay that
was captured when young, and which, he states, was as mild and playful as a kitten. He was obliged, however, to keep it
chained, on account of its predilection for poultry. It was fond of sleeping on the skirts of any one’s garments, and evinced
its satisfaction by purring, and was a very expert ratter, the largest rat becoming an easy prey. It was also equally skilful
in catching birds. The fur was very soft.
Fur short. Entire body a rich bright red, darkest upon the back, lightest on the inside of the legs and on the belly.
No markings of any kind visible. Chin, throat, and breast deep rufous buff. Tail very long, rich red like the back. The
young are also red, but not quite of so rich a colour as the adults. Length 2 feet 7 inches; tail 111 inches.
The skull is long, with a lengthened face on a level with the forehead; nasals are broad, and on a line with the processes
of the maxillas at their articulation with the frontal bone. Processes of prefrontals and premaxillas separate the nasals
and maxillas for nearly two thirds the length. Maxillas are slightly concave on the side of the nasals, giving this portion
a pinched appearance. Orbits incomplete. Infraorbital foramen contracted, in one specimen almost square-shaped. Brain-
case long and rounded. Auditory bullae prominent, oblong; mastoid foramen of a triangular shape. Zygoma well arched.
Canines moderate. Specimen described 1226, B. M.