THE BAY LYNX OR BOB CAT 



51 



closely related to the type to be set forth separately here. 

 This species is marked by the absence of the long ear-pencil 

 of the Canada lynx (although sometimes a small pencil is 

 present), by the small feet and the warm brown tone in the 

 color of the fur. 



Western specimens are sometimes so strongly marked 

 with round black spots that we feel impelled to recognize 

 the " Spotted Lynx " as 

 a distinct species; but 

 when we find others 

 from the Atlantic coast 

 also spotted, besides 

 others of the standard 

 reddish gray, we are 

 compelled to refer all 

 of them to the species 

 of the Bay Lynx. In 

 the Atlantic states the 

 standard color for this 



animal is a mixture of rusty red, gray, and blackish brown, 

 with the red so prevalent as to have given a name to the crea- 

 ture. In the West, the spotted coat is more common, and 

 occasionally the spots are strongly marked all over the animal. 



The face of the Bay Lynx is really very beautiful and, 

 when not too fat from overfeeding in captivity, the body is 

 lithe and graceful. When kept in large cages in the open 

 air and sunlight, sheltered from storms, and not overfed, this 

 animal is easily kept in fine condition. In artificially heated 

 buildings they do not thrive. 



E. R. Sanborn, Photo., N. Y. Zoological Park. 

 THE OCELOT. 



