4 CLIMBING TREES. 



to evince much affection for each other ; and if one should 

 be killed, the survivor will remain long in the vicinity -on 

 the look-out, as it were, for its missing comrade. 



The lynx when full grown at least does not seem to 

 ascend trees from choice. It would rather appear, on the 

 contrary, that only when very closely pressed he seeks 

 their friendly shelter. But it is not from the want of 

 ability ; for from the extreme sharpness of his claws, and 

 his cat-like spring, he can climb the smoothest trunk, even 

 though altogether divested of branches. It used to be said 

 he chased squirrels or martin-cats from bough to bough, 

 and that even in the very tree-top; but this fable is now 

 pretty well exploded. 



The lynx, like others of the tiger tribe, unless com- 

 pelled by hunger, or disturbed, rests for the most part 

 during the day. Sometimes he conceals himself in the cleft 

 of a rock, or under the root of a prostrate tree ; but far more 

 generally he couches on the top of a boulder, a stump, or 

 the angle of a projecting rock, from whence he can detect 

 the approach of danger, as also of the animals on which 

 he preys. From such situations I have myself repeatedly 

 started the lynx, and that even in the most severe weather ; 

 and as he thus from choice would seem to set the rigour 

 of a northern winter at defiance, I conclude he must be a 

 very hardy animal. 



At dusk, or early dawn, the lynx most commonly roams 

 the forest in search of prey. Some will have it that he lies 

 in ambush until his victim has approached so near, that two 

 or three springs will bring it within his grasp ; but others 

 say, and with much more probability, that he steals upon it 

 unawares in the manner of a cat. 



