3-58 THE LYNX. 



on the Mackenzie River, as far north as 66. It is a timid 

 creature, incapable of attacking any of the larger quadru- 

 peds ; but well armed for the capture of the American 

 hare, on which it chiefly preys. Its large paws, slender 

 loins, and long, but thick hind legs, with large buttocks 

 scarcely relieved by a short thick tail, give it an awk- 

 ward, clumsy appearance. It is easily destroyed by a 

 blow on the back with a slender stick ; and it never at- 

 tacks a man. Its gait is by bounds straight forward, 

 with the back a little arched, and lighting on all feet at 

 once. It swims well, but is not swift on land. It breeds 

 once a year, and has two young at a time. The natives 

 eat its flesh, which is white and tender, but rather fla- 

 vorless, much resembling that of the American hare. 



The early French writers on Canada gave it the name 

 of Loup Cervier. The French Canadians now term it in- 

 differently La Chats, or Le Peshoo. Pennant considered it 

 as identical with the lynx of the Old World ; Geoffrey St. 

 Hilaire named it as a distinct species ; and Temminck 

 has again, under the name ofFelis Borealis, described the 

 species as the same in both hemispheres. 



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 

 feet long, and twelve or thirteen inches in circumference. 



