NORTH AMERICAN WILDCATS 
there; in fact, until Eastern breeds began to be imported, 
comparatively recently, there was no other style. On the other 
hand, brindled cats were unknown in eastern Asia, whose 
spotted or foxy domestic cats were derived, as we have seen, from 
other and local sources; yet are so closely akin that they readily 
produce fertile offspring when crossed with western breeds. 
Lynxes, Bobcats, and Cheetas 
All the cats thus far have had long tails and rounded ears; 
but toward the end of the list the ears grew sharper and a little 
tufted, and the tails much abbreviated, especially noticeable 
in the jungle cats. This tendency leads toward a group of 
short-tailed, tufted-eared cats, the lynxes, or “bobcats,” of 
special interest to us, because among them are our North 
American wildcats. “There are a number of species,” said 
Coues, “inhabiting Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. 
They are of mod- 
erate size among 
the Felide, but con- 
siderably larger 
than any house cat, 
with a short body, 
a very short tail, 
large and _ long 
limbs, usually 
bearded cheeks and 
tufted ears, and 
spotted, marbled, or 
clouded coloration. 
Some have been Copyright, N. Y. Zodlogical Society. Sanborn, Phot. 
known from time THE CANADA LYNX. 
immemorial, and famed for their supposed sharp-sightedness, 
which probably is no greater than that of any other cats.” 
141 
