416 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 



which the editors of the " Quadrupeds" have had an oppor- 

 tunity of witnessing. Such examples are confirmed by my 

 own experience. 



When this animal discovers a flock of wild turkeys, he 

 will generally follow them at a little distance for some time, 

 and after having ascertained the direction in which they 

 are proceeding, make a rapid detour, and concealing himself 

 behind a fallen tree, or in the lower branches of some leafy 

 maple, patiently wait in ambush until the birds approach, 

 when he suddenly springs on one of them, if near enough, 

 and with one bound secures it. We once, while resting on a 

 log in the woods, on the banks of the Wabash river, perceived 

 two wild turkey-cocks at some distance below us, under 

 the bank near the water, pluming and picking their feathers ; 

 on a sudden one of them fled across the river, and the other 

 we saw struggling in the grasp of a wild cat, which almost 

 instantly dragged it up the bank into the woods and made 

 off. On another occasion, we observed an individual of this 

 species almost nine miles from Charleston, in pursuit of a 

 covey of partridges (Ortyx Virginiana^ so intent was 

 the cat upon its prey, that it passed within ten 'steps of us, 

 as it was making a circle to get in advance, and in the path 

 of the birds; its eyes were constantly fixed on the covey, 

 and it stealthily concealed itself behind a log it expected 

 the birds to pass. In a second attempt, the marauder 

 succeeded in capturing one of the partridges, when the rest, 

 in great affright, flew and scattered in all directions. 



The Canada lynx is something larger than the bay lynx, 

 and though more formidable-looking, is not so fierce, bold, or 

 restless. Indeed, it seems to be quite remarkable for a shy 

 timidity, even when far removed from the neighborhood 

 of man. It is not mottled as the bay lynx, but is gray 

 above, a little clouded with irregular dark spots, and lighter 

 beneath. It is well protected against the cold of its northern 

 home by its long fur. It is very dexterous in capturing the 



