158 



MAMMALS OF AMERICA 



The distinguishing feature of the Wild Cat is 

 its short and rather bushy tail. Compared with 

 the domestic cat, it stands somewhat higher, and 

 has a coarser and rougher head. It is an inhabi- 

 tant of the United States eastward of the Great 

 Plains, with allied varieties in Nova Scotia, Flor- 

 ida, Texas, and California. Its fur, which is 

 rather heavy and thick, is usually of a yellowish 

 brown color with a reddish tinge, and a blackish 

 stripe down the back ; the under parts are white 

 spotted with black. There are also spotted 

 varieties. 



brush, he instantly crouches with all four feet 

 beneath him, and remains perfectly motionless, 

 watching and listening, intent to learn whether 

 it is an enemy to be avoided or possibly game 

 for his dinner. In the latter case, he creeps for- 

 ward with the utmost caution, planning, if pos- 

 sible, to head off his victim in order to seize 

 it at the first alarm. When out hunting, the 

 Bobcat utters a wild scream from time to time : 

 its object evidently is to startle any creature that 

 niav be in hiding near by into betraying its pres- 

 ence by a startled jump. And certainly any 



Photograph by H. R. Wolnisley 



WILD CAT 



This fellow has been cornered, and while " Bob cats " do not usually show fight, it is well for the 



intruder to be wary 



Wild Cats feed upon mice, squirrels, rabbits, 

 grouse, and various small birds, and, not having 

 the perseverance of the Weasel and Fox in pur- 

 suing, they lie in wait for their prey, springing 

 out suddenly upon it. In settled districts they 

 invade the farmyards, carrying off chickens, 

 ducks, geese, and turkeys, as well as little pigs 

 and lambs. As, however, they are first-class 

 mousers, it is probable that they more than 

 repay, by their destruction of noxious rodents, 

 the depredations they themselves commit. 



According to Stone and Cram, " when the Wild 

 Cat hears the faintest movement in the under- 



animal would require strong nerves to remain 

 unmoved when this jarring yell bursts through 

 the stillness close at hand. It has been described 

 as a low sort of growling, followed by a sudden, 

 quick repeated caterwaul." 



Wild Cats during most of the year hunt either 

 alone or in pairs, and they do most of their 

 roaming in the evening and morning twilights, 

 sleeping during the day in the hollow of some 

 tree, or in a cave, or even in the nest of a large 

 bird. Their own nests, which are well-lined with 

 moss, are found in hollow trees and logs. Their 

 voung number two to four. 



