THE WILD CAT OF MUSKOKA 187 



beast. When once it seized its victim it would 

 feed upon the living flesh until hunger was 

 satisfied, leaving the poor sufferer to die at 

 leisure. He further showed me large scars upon 

 his shoulder as a proof of his statement. This 

 libel on the wild cat seems to be almost the 

 rule rather than the exception in Muskoka. 

 Audubon and Bachman write as follows : 

 <c The general appearance of this species conveys 

 the idea of a degree of ferocity which cannot 

 with propriety be considered as belonging to its 

 character, although it will, when at bay, show its 

 sharp teeth, and with outstretched claws and in- 

 furiated despair, repel the attacks of either man 

 or dog, sputtering the while and rolling its eyes 

 like the common cat. 



" It is, however, generally cowardly when 

 attacked, and always flies from its pursuers, if it 

 can ; and although some anecdotes have been 

 related to us of the daring, strength, and fierceness 

 of this animal, such as its having been known to 

 kill at different times a sheep, a full-grown doe, 

 attack a child in the woods, etc., yet in all the 

 instances that have come under our notice we 

 have found it very timid, and always rather in- 

 clined to beat a retreat than to make an attack 



