148 THE BOOK OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 



and "the handsomest of the Lynx tribe." It is not so large as the 

 Common Lynx, but exceeds most of the other smaller Cats. 



Where there is bush and grass-covered jungle, there the Caracal 

 makes its home, stalking its prey with immense cleverness and 

 leaping into the air and securing ground-dwelling birds in less time 

 than it takes to tell the story. It travels very swiftly when once under 

 way, and runs down such prey as small Antelopes, Hares and large 

 birds like Cranes, Bustards and Peafowl. Mr. Finn states that "one 

 curious use of the animal is worth mention ; the fur is in any case a 

 handsome one, and the Boers in South Africa are firmly convinced 

 that a rug of Caracal skins is a preventive of rheumatism, and 

 Messrs. Nicholls and Eglington, who mention this, state that the 

 fur even of the dead animal is highly electrical, as that of the living 

 tame Cat is so well known to be." 



NORTHERN LYNX.— The Lynxes are less Cat-like than any 

 of the great and small Cats with which we have already made 

 acquaintance, and an examination of Fig. 113 of a specimen of the 

 Common, or European, species from the Caucasus will reveal the 

 short, thick tail, the long legs and pointed ears. It will be observed 

 also that the Lynx is a heavily-built animal and does not exhibit that 

 remarkably active appearance so characteristic of the beasts we have 

 recently had under consideration. The Northern Lynx is found in 

 Europe and Asia; it can exist in both hot and cold countries, and, 

 in consequence, much variety is exhibited in the colour of its dress. 

 The Northern species under notice has a soft, thick, greyish or 

 reddish fur, generally spotted with black ; the Southern form is of a 

 redder hue, whilst the beast found in Central Asia is more regular 

 in colour, and paler. It attains a length of three to four feet exclusive 

 of the short tail, and has powerful paws and fore-arms. 



A nocturnal animal, the Lynx dwells in forest regions, and, as 

 might be supposed, climbs trees in pursuit of its prey, this consisting 

 of various kinds of small mammals and birds. It is said to be "the 

 most destructive of the Carnivores now left to plague Europe," and 

 will kill Goats and Sheep with impunity. Like the Fox it kills more 

 than it can eat, partaking of a portion of its prey and leaving the 

 rest. Its ravages are, like those of the Fox, often extraordinary, for 

 one individual has been known to kill no less than forty Sheep in a 

 few weeks. 



It is difficult to attack because its wanderings are restricted to the 

 silent midnight watches, but is hunted whenever opportunity offers, 



