LYNXES. 



441 



Both these are, however, now generally regarded as mere geographical races of 

 the bay lynx. 



In the Adirondacks the bay lynx is very rare, probably on account of the 

 climate being too severe for it, as it is far more common to the southward. " It 

 frequents rocky hills and ledges," writes Dr. Merriain, " and does not show that 

 antipathy to civilisation so marked in its congener the [Canadian] lynx. In fact, 

 it is often quite common in thickly-settled portions of the State, and sometimes 

 proves of much annoyance to the farmer by carrying off lambs, little pigs, and 

 poultry, ducks, geese, turkeys, and chickens proving equally acceptable. Away 

 from the farmyard it feeds upon rabbits, squirrels, mice, grouse, and what small 



THE PARDINE LYNX (\ nat. size). 



birds it is fortunate enough to capture. It generally makes its nest in a hollow 

 tree or log, and lines it well with moss. From two to four young constitute a 

 litter, the most frequent number being three." Dr. Merriam mentions the extremely 

 spiteful disposition of the bay lynx, and adds, " I have eaten the flesh of the wild 

 cat, and can pronounce it excellent. It is white, very tender, and suggests veal 

 more than any other meat with which I am familiar." 



The last of the American lynxes which the transatlantic naturalists now regard 

 as a distinct species, is the plateau lynx (F. bailey i). This form takes its name 

 from inhabiting the high plateau of Colorado, Utah, and Arizona ; and is said to 

 differ from the bay lynx in being uniformly paler above, and also by its shorter 

 tail and softer fur. The back is suffused with a buff tint, and the blackish 

 marblings found on the face and forehead of the bay lynx are wanting, while the 

 black at the tip of the tail occupies a smaller area than in the latter. There is 



