MAMMALIA—SIYA-GUSH. 197 
BAY LYNX,.OR AMERICAN WiLD CAT ! 

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, which 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, CAR ACAL. OR, SLY A-GUS-E.2 

Txoven the caracal resembies 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 
—_— - 

1 Felis rufa, GMEL. 2 Felis caracal, Lin. 
