190 SPORT IN NORWAY. 



at pleasure. It would be the best plan, and the 

 cheapest, to buy a couple of Norwegian ponies to carry 

 the "impedimenta," &c. They can readily be sold 

 again, and, perhaps, not at a loss. 



I question much whether there are any Englishmen 

 who have ever hunted lynxes in Norway. These 

 animals are, however, tolerably abundant, much more so 

 than one might suppose from the yearly returns. The 

 average number killed annually is about 120. Hede- 

 marken, Bratsberg, South and North Bergenhuus Amts 

 are the best districts for them. 



The manner of hunting them is as follows : 



In the early winter, after a light fall of snow, the 

 hunter takes with him a couple of hounds, inferior 

 specimens of our foxhound breed. Their bodies are 

 protected with a coat of mail, or rather leathers, consist- 

 ing of bands or straps to protect them from the lynx's 

 terrific claws, without impeding the free action of their 

 limbs. It is but seldom that a lynx escapes when once 

 his tracks have been discovered. 



I can well imagine it to be an exciting chase. AVhen 

 hard pressed the animal turns to bay, and if the dogs 

 are experienced ones they take good care to keep at a 

 respectful distance till the hunter comes up ; but if they 

 are young at the work they will often run in to close 

 quarters a piece of audacity, however, seldom tried 

 twice, for the powerful claws of the lynx are capable of 



