194 THE STORY OF THE LYNX. 



This lynx is found in Europe in Spain, Sicily, Sardinia, Greece and Tur- 

 key. Its habits are probably very similar to those of the northern species. 



The foxy-colored cat known as the caracal is a species of lynx, and agrees 

 with the latter in its long limbs, penciled ears, and the characters of its teeth; 

 but in its longer tail, absence of a ruff round the throat, and less close and 

 thick fur, it resembles the caffre-cat. The transition from the typical cats 

 to the lynxes is, therefore, complete. The caracal is sometimes called the 

 desert lynx. 



In addition to its long- limbs it is characterized by its slender build, the 

 length of the tail being equal to one-third of that of the hind leg and body, 

 and by the long tufts of black hair surmounting the long ears. The length of 

 the head and body varies from 26 to 30 inches, and that of the tail from 9 

 to 10 inches; the height at the shoulder being from 16 to 18 inches. 



This species is sometimes known as the Persian, and at others as the red 

 lynx, but the latter name is properly applied to a North American variety 

 of the true lynx. Although a rare animal everywhere, the caracal is spread 

 over the greater part of India, \\'\i\\ the exception of Bengal, the Malabar 

 coast, and the Eastern Himalaya. It is unknown to the eastward of the 

 Bay of Bengal, but towards the southwest it is found in Mesopotamia, and 

 perhaps the Persian highlands. It is also found in Arabia; and over a large 

 portion of Africa it is the sole representative of the lynxes. 



We have little or no information as to the habits of the caracal in Africa, 

 and only a scant record of its mode of life in India. I know, however, that 

 it dwells among grass and bushes, rather than in forests. Its prey consists 

 largely of gazelles, the smaller species of deer, hares, pea-fowl, florican, 

 cranes, and other birds; and so active is the creature, that it has the power 

 of springing up and capturing birds on the wing at a height of five or six 

 feet above the ground. The caracal is easily tamed, and in some parts of 

 India is trained to capture several of the animals mentioned above as forming 

 its natural prey. It is a favorite amusement among the natives to let loose 

 a couple of tame caracals among a flock of pigeons feeding on the ground, 

 vv^hen each of them will strike down as many as ten birds before the flock 

 can escape. It is believed that the expression "Inyx-eyed" owes its origir 

 to this species. 



