While the creature is swift in its movements, it does 

 not, as a rule, pursue its victims, as do foxes and wea- 

 sels, but it generally lies in wait, crouching on the limb 

 of a tree or on the ground among the bushes. When an 

 unsuspecting animal comes within reach, the Wild Cat 

 pounces upon it. Ofttimes, it utters a loud scream 

 which startles other animals into activity, thus reveal- 

 ing their locations to the hunting cat. 



The wild cat is a solitary animal and hunts alone 

 or with its mate. It is most active during the early 

 evening and morning hours and sleeps during the day 

 in a cave or hollow tree. The nest is usually placed in 

 the latter and is lined with soft mosses and grass. There 

 are from two to four young born in the late Spring 

 months. 



The wild cat has a short bushy tail, long legs and 

 large feet. The ears are rather prominent and tipped 

 with black, but they arc not conspicuously tufted. 

 There is a ruff of hair on each side of the head. The 

 males and females are alike and there is no change of 

 color with the seasons. 



The color is yellowish brown above, spotted on 

 the sides with dark brown. There is a brown stripe on 

 the forehead and one on the back and tail. The under 

 parts are a creamy white, with black spots. The fur is 

 dense and soft. 



The creature is much larger than a common house 

 cat, reaching three feet in length, while the tail is only 

 about seven inches. It is most common in the northern 

 and central counties. 



-*>C 110 }<:-• 



