HISTORY OF THE TIGER. 67 



has reared them, who will be recolected after a considera- 

 ble absence. " A tigress in the Tower, upon her arrival in 

 London, became very erascible and dangerous, from irrita- 

 tion at the crowd and bustle upon the Thames. Her 

 deportment was was so sulky and savage, that Mr. Cops 

 could scarcely be prevailed on by her former keeper, who 

 saw her shortly afterwards, to allow him to enter her den ; 

 bu|- no sooner did she recognise her old friend, than she 

 fawned upon him, licked him, and caressed him, exhibiting 

 the most extravagant signs of pleasure ; and when he left 

 her, she cried and whined for the remainder of the day." 



Tigers have also been induced to breed in captivity, 

 though much less frequently than the lion. Mr. Cross, we 

 believe, has succeeded in breeding six of the former, while 

 his litters of the latter have amounted to no less than twenty 

 four. We are not certain whether any of the tigers bred 

 in confinement have arrived at maturity. 



BAY LYNX, OR AMERICAN WILD CAT. 



THE common wild cat of North America stands very 

 high upon its legs, and has a short tail which is curved 

 upwards at its extremity; which circumstances tend to 

 give the animal an appearance of being somewhat dispro- 

 portioned. In other respects its physiognomy reminds one 

 strongly of the domestic cat, to which its general aspect 

 and movements are very similar. The residence of the 

 wild cat is usually in woody districts, where it preys upon 

 birds, squirrels, and other small animals, which are taken 

 by surprise, according to the manner of all the animals 

 belonging to the genus felis. This animal is about two 

 ^oet long, and twelve or thirtren inches in circumference* 



