222 ■ CARNIVORA. 



THE AMERICAN WILD-CATS. 



The so-called wild-cats consist of three small species of lynxes which 

 are somewhat difficult to distinj^uish. IJaird writes: "In the study of 

 the North American lynxes 1 have found it very difficult to comic to 

 satisfactory conclusions, owing to the imperfect condition of some speci- 

 mens and t!ie uncertainty as to date of collecting others. Northern skins 

 of w ild-cats have generally longer and softer hair the year tln-ougli than 

 the southern, wliile, as in the deer, the hair will have a reddish or bay 

 tinge, which is replaced by grayish in winter. As a general rule, the 

 further south we go the smaller tlic species. There appear to be at least 

 tJircc species of smaller American Ivnxcs in North America — the Common 

 Bay Lynx, which reaches h"om tlie Atlantic to tlie Pacific througiiout 

 nearly the whole latitude of the United States, but is replaced in Texas 

 and Southern California by the Lynx inaculatus (Texas Wild-cat), and in 

 Northern Oregon and Washington Territory by the Lynx fasciatus (Red 

 Cat). The precise limit of the last mentioned species, other than as 

 indicated, has not been ascertained." 



Audubon regards the two latter species as merely varieties of the 

 common wild-cat. 



THE WILD-CAT OR BAY LYNX. 



The WiLn-c.\T or Hay Lynx, Lynx rufus (I'late X), is described as 

 follows : " Tlie lur moderately lull and soft, above and on tlie sides pale 

 rulbus overlaid with grayish — tiie latter color most prevalent in winter — 

 a few obsolete dark spots on the sides, and indistinct longitudinal lines 

 along tlie middle of the back ; color on the throat like the sides but much 

 paler; beneath, white spotted; inside of tlic legs, Ixandeil ; tail, witli a 

 black patch at the end with indistinct subterminal halt-rings; inner sur- 

 face of ear with a white patch." Length of head and body twenty-seven 

 inches ; tail, seven inches ; height at shoulder, fifteen inches. The Bay 

 Lynx is fond of swampy situations, and is abundant in tlic cane-brakes 

 of the Southern States, where at times they have become a great nui- 

 sance by the havoc they make among the poultry. It is generally cow- 

 ardly when attacked, and always flies from its pursuers; and Audubon 

 says that he always found it very timid, and unwilling to attack an3'thing 

 larger than a hare or a young ]iig. Dr. Coleman witnessed a fight be- 



