THE COMMON WILD CAT. 249 



the continent of Europe, it is generally found in the 

 countries which will afford it cover and shelter. Ac- 

 cording to Temminck, it extends to Asia ; and those 

 of Hungary and Russia are of a larger size than the 

 animals from other parts of the continent, their fur 

 finer, and more esteemed by the furriers. 



They are found exclusively in extensive wooded 

 tracts, which, in the north of Scotland, always ex- 

 tend over ground much broken with crags and preci- 

 pices. Among these they breed and seek shelter, 

 and flee often for refuge when pursued. They are 

 also active climbers, and instances have been record- 

 ed where they have produced their young in the de- 

 serted nests of some large birds. Their food is small 

 animals, and birds of all kinds, and their depredations 

 in a country well stocked with game are immense. 



In the form and shape of the tail, this animal some- 

 what resembles the lynxes. The fur is very thick, 

 woolly, and long. The general colour is a greyish- 

 yellow, in some specimens inclining much to a shade 

 of bluish-grey. The forehead is irregularly marked 

 with dark brown spots, which turn into lines be- 

 tween the ears, and run over the back of the neck in 

 four broad dark stripes ; these join again at the 

 shoulders, and form a dark dorsal line to the insertion 

 of the tail. The sides are brindled indistinctly with 

 dark bands, and the legs are banded with two or 

 three broad black rings, diagonally surrounding the 

 limb. The heels of the hind-legs are black, running 

 up to the first joint. The chin and under lips are 



