MAMMALIA-SIYA-GUSH. 197 



BAY LYNX, OR AMERICAN WILD CAT.i 



The common wild cat of North America stands very high upon its legs, 

 and has a short tail which is curved upwards at its extremity ; which cir- 

 cumstances tend to give the animal an appearance of being somewhat dis- 

 proportioned. In other respects its physiognomy reminds one strongly of 

 the domestic cat, to which its general aspect and movements are very simi- 

 lar. The residence of the wild cat is usually in woody districts, where it 

 preys upon birds, squirrels, and other small animals, Avhich are taken by 

 surprise, according to the manner of all the animals belonging to the genus 

 felis. This animal is about two feet long, and twelve or thirteen inches in 

 circumference. The tail but little exceeds three inches in length. The 

 general color is a deep reddish, mingled with small spots of blackish brown. 

 This animal is occasionally met with in New England, but is more com- 

 mon in Canada and the Western States. It must be distinguished from 

 the wild cats, occasionally shot in our woods, which have sprung from the 

 domestic cat. 



THE CARACAL, OR SIYA-GUSH.2 



Though the caracal resembles the lynx in size, in the formation of the 

 body, and the aspect of the head ; and though, like that animal, it seems to 

 have the peculiar, and almost singular characteristic of a stripe of black 



' Felis rufa, Gmel. 



* Felis caracal, Lin. 



