56 THE TRAPPER'S ART. 



This Wild Cat is of great strength, and when pursued and 

 hard pressed exhibits daring and ferocity in an extraordinary 

 degree. When cauglit in a trap they fly without hesitation 

 at any person who approaches them, without waiting to be 

 assailed. The directions given for trapping the American 

 Wild Cat are appropriate for the capture of this species. St. 

 John, the author of a AA'ork on " Highland Sports," gives the 

 following plan for taking them : " Like other vermin, the 

 Wild Cat haunts the shores of the lakes and rivers, and it is, 

 therefore, easy to know where to lay a trap for them. Hav- 

 ing caught and killed one of the colony, the rest of them are 

 sure to be taken, if the body of their slain relative is left in 

 some place not far from their usual hunting-ground, and sur- 

 rounded with traps, as every Wild Cat who passes within a 

 considerable distance of the place will surely come to it." 



THE LYNX. 



There are several species of Lynx. The Canada Lynx 

 and the European Lynx are the most important to the trapper 

 and fur-dealer. The former inhabits North America from 

 the latitude of Northern New York to the northern limits of 

 the woods, or within the Arctic Circle. It is not found in 

 the Mississippi Valley, but occurs west of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains, and is supposed to exist in the northeastern part of Asia. 

 Its size is between that of a fox and a Avolf. Its length from 

 the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail is about three feet. 

 The tail is shorter than the head, and is densely furred and 

 tipped with black. Its feet are large, thickly covered with 

 fur, and armed with strong claws. The ears are pointed, not 

 large, and tipped with a pencil of long black hairs. The 

 color in winter is a silver-gray on the back, paling towards 

 the belly, which is sometimes white. A rufous under-shade 

 mixes wnth the tints. It has a ruif on the sides of the neck 

 and under the throat. In winter its fur is long and silky. 

 The average weight of this Lynx is about twenty-five pounds. 



The Canada Lynx lives in the darkest woods and swamps, 

 preying on hares, mice, squirrels, grouse, and smaller birds, 

 and rarely attacking the deer. When pressed with hunger 



