CAPTURE OF ANIMALS. 57 



it prowls about the pioneer's cabin in search of lambs, pigs, 

 and poultry. It is an active climber, and frequently seizes 

 its prey by pouncing upon it from an overhanging tree ; at 

 other times it crawls stealthily like a cat within springing dis- 

 tance, or leaps upon it from a cliff. It pursues birds to the 

 tops of the loftiest trees, and kills fish in the streams. It also 

 feeds on carrion, and, when pressed with hunger, on its own 

 kind. It is said to have a strong passion for perfumes, par- 

 ticularly the castoreum of the beaver. This is the principal 

 scent or " medicine " used by trappers in capturing the Lynx. 

 The female brings forth generally two young ones at a time, 

 and hides them in hollow trees or caves till they are large 

 enough to follow her. 



The Canada Lynx is a stupid animal and easily caught. It 

 readily enters a trap that is properly set and baited with meat. 

 The general directions already given for trapping various car- 

 nivorous animals are applicable in this case. The Hudson's 

 Bay Company's trappers practice the following method, ac- 

 cording to Bernard Rogan Ross : The trap is covered, inside 

 the jaws, with a well-fitting " pallet " of birch bark. On the 

 pallet a piece of hair skin, well rubbed with the u medicine " 

 or scent, is tied. The trap is then placed indifferently either 

 under or on the snow. The Lynx, scenting his favorite per- 

 fume, endeavors to withdraw the skin with his paw, and con- 

 sequently springs the trap. It does not, like most of the fur- 

 bearing animals, make violent efforts to escape, or drag the 

 trap to a distance ; it generally lies down until aroused by the 

 approach of the hunter, when, instead of attempting to escape 

 by flight, it springs at him. 



The European Lynx closely resembles the Canada species ; 

 its habits are also similar. Its fur is valuable. Its general 

 color is a dull reddish gray above, whitish below, mottled with 

 black. On the sides are dark oblong patches. In winter the 

 fur is longer and lighter-colored than in summer. The keen- 

 ness of its sight has long been proverbial. It is found from 

 the Pyrenees to the far North, and throughout Northern Asia. 

 The directions given for trapping the Canada Lynx are suffi- 

 cient in the case of this species. 



