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WILD SPAIN. 



Spanish Lynx (Felis pardina) . 

 Spanish : Gato cierval, Lince. 



This species is also peculiar to the Peninsula, and in the 

 southern provinces may be called common, frequenting the 

 wilder, scrub-covered wastes and wooded sierras, where it preys 

 on hares, rabbits, and partridge. In the spring the large and 

 powerful males are also destructive among the young red deer. 



The spotted lynx is the only species found in Spain, its range 

 extending (though in decreasing abundance) to the Asturian 

 ranges, and even, we believe, to the Pyrenees, where we have 

 failed to find any evidence of the existence of the northern 

 form (Felis lynx). 



The movements of lynx are most dignified, having rather the 

 demeanour of the tiger than of the wild-cat : it advances with 

 slow, stately stride and measured movements, standing at the 

 full height of the long, powerful legs, and the head carried level 

 with the back. 



Though its approach, per se, is absolutely noiseless, yet on a 

 still day it is just possible for an ear attuned to distinguish 

 anything differing from the ordinary sounds of the wilds, to 

 detect a slight crackling — a rustle, as the dry cistus-twigs 

 re-unite after being divided by the passage of the lynx's body. 



Its stealth preserves the lynx from falling readily into danger, 

 and few are shot comparatively with their numbers in the wilder 

 regions of Spain. When a lynx detects an ambuscade, there 

 is an instant's cogitation ere the big cat bounds off. One 

 moment, from the jungle, the great yellow eye meets one's own 

 — that cruel, pretty face, full of hate and shy self-possession, 

 set off by the bushy whiskers and tufted ears — then, like a 

 yellow gleam, the beast disappears for ever in the thicket. 



On one occasion, in winter, while redleg-shooting, we noticed 

 a commotion among some kites hovering at a certain spot. On 

 going there, the writer came suddenly on a lynx which had 

 killed a rabbit — a morsel doubtless coveted by the milanos. 

 This lynx, though a rather small female, on being wounded with 

 small shot, made a gallant effort to attack its aggressor. 



The country folk declare that there is no better meat than 

 that of lynx ; but then, it is true, they hold that otter is very 

 good for the health, muy saludable ; that bittern is came muy 

 fina, while the flesh of owls and hawks of all kinds possess 



