248 The Loup Cervier. 



Specific Characters. — Longer than L.Rufus; ears triangular, 

 tipt with an upright slender tuft of coarse black hairs ; tail 

 shorter than the head ; soles hairy ; general colours, grey above, 

 a little clouded with irregular darker spots, lighter beneath. 



The skins of the Loup Cervier may be seen in the collections 

 of almost every extensive fur dealer in Canada, although the ani- 

 mal itself is not often to be met with, unless by those spoilsmen 

 or hunters who penetrate into the more retired recesses of the 

 forest. The settlements are seldom visited by this beast of prey, 

 its habits being such that it finds in general a sufficiency of food 

 in the woods, and is therefore not often compelled by famine to 

 forage in the farm yard. There can be little doubt, however, that 

 sometimes the wolf is blamed for carrying off a lamb which has 

 feasted the lynx. Its prey consists of such small animals as the 

 northern hare, the grey rabbit, squirrels, mice, grouse, and birds 

 of various kinds. It is said that in the northern regions it preys 

 upon the Arctic fox ( Vulpes lagopus,) and that it also there makes 

 great havoc among the lemmings. When it enters a place fre- 

 quented by rabbits it seldom leaves the locality until it has killed 

 them all. One was found with its mouth full of the sharp quills 

 of the porcupine, its head greatly inflamed, and its sight nearly 

 destroyed in consequence. There are some accounts of its attack- 

 ing deer, but although its strength is doubtless sufficient to war- 

 rant an encounter with such large prey, yet the habit of the lynx 

 is more like that of the common cat to seek its food among 

 animals smaller and weaker than itself. 



From the great size of its claws and teeth, and its formidable 

 appearance, the Canada Lynx has acquired a reputation for fero- 

 city, cunning and daring, to which it is not entitled. All that has 

 been said of the Wolverene with respect to its leaping from 

 trees upon the backs of the deer and elk has also been applied to 

 this animal. In fact one of its common names, Loup Cervier, or 

 " Deer Wolf^ was bestowed upon it from its supposed habit of 

 pouncing upon and destroying deer. Although, however, strong- 

 ly built, and capable of climbing trees with ease, the lynx is 

 timid, and at the sight of man cowardly, and a very small dog will 

 put it to flight instantly. It swims well, breeds once a year, 

 having two young at a time, is easily taken in traps ; and the 

 Indians eat its flesh. AVhen attacked by dogs, and cornered up, it 

 fights like a cat, spitting and striking with its sharp claws, with 

 which it can inflict severe wounds. 



