196 MAMMALIA— LYNX. 



which is long and thick, is of a pale gray color, with a reddish tinge, and 

 obscurely marked with small dusky spots on the upper parts of the body. 

 The under parts are white. The skin of the male is more beautifully 

 marked than that of the female. It does not walk or run like the wolf in a 

 progressive motion, but leaps and bounds like the cat. It gains its sole 

 subsistence by devouring other animals ; and these it will follow to the 

 very tops of trees. Neither can the wild cat, the marten, the ermine, nor 

 the squirrel, escape its pursuit. It also seizes birds, lies in wait for the 

 stag, the roebuck, and the hare, and with one bound often seizes them by 

 the throat. When in possession of its prey, it first sucks the blood of the 

 animal, and then lays open its head, in order to devour the brains. This 

 done, it generally abandons the victim of its fury, goes in search of fresh 

 prey, and is seldom known to return to the former ; a circumstance which 

 has given rise to the vulgar remark, that of all animals the lynx has the 

 shortest memory. The skin of this animal changes its color according to 

 the season and the climate. In winter it is in every respect better than it 

 is in summer ; and its flesh, like the flesh of all beasts of prey, is not proper 

 to eat. 



CANADA LYNX.i 



This is the only species of the genus which exists north of the Great 

 Lakes, and eastward of the Rocky Mountains. It is rare on the sea-coast, 

 and does not frequent the Barren Grounds, but it is not uncommon in the 

 woody districts of the interior, since from seven to nine thousand are annu- 

 ally procured by the Hudson's Bay Company. It is found on the Mackenzie 

 River, as far north as 66°. It is a timid creature, incapable of attacking 

 any of the larger quadrupeds ; but well armed for the capture of the Ameri- 

 can hare, on which it chiefly preys. Its large paws, slender loins, and 

 long, but thick hind legs, with large buttocks scarcely relieved by a short 

 thick tail, give it an awkward, clumsy appearance. It is easily destroyed 

 by a blow on the back with a slender stick ; and it never attacks a man. 

 Its gait is by bounds straight forward, with the back a little arched, and 

 lighting on all feet at once. It swims well, but it is not swift on land. It 

 breeds once a year, and has two young at a time. The natives eat its 

 flesh, Avhich is white and tender, but rather flavorless, much resembling 

 that of the American hare. 



The early French writers on Canada gave it the name of Loup Cervicr. 

 The French Canadians now term it indifferently La Chats, or Le Peshoo. 

 reiniaiii i^GTisidcred it as identical with the lynx of the Old World; Geoffroy 

 St Hilaire named it as a distinct species ; and Temminck has again, under the 

 name of Felis Borealis, described the species as the same in both hemispheres. 



1 Frlis Canadensis, Desm. 



