RABBITS AND LYNXES 99 



Let us remember that the Lynx is a huge cat weigh- 

 ing 25 to 35 or even 40 lbs., that it is an ordinary cat 

 multiplied by some 4 or 5 diameters, and we shall 

 have a good foundation for comprehension. 



Murdo McEay has often seen 2 or 3 Lynxes together 

 in March, the mating season. They fight and cater- 

 waul like a lot of tomcats. 



The uncatlike readiness of the Lynx to take to water 

 is well known; that it is not wholly at home there is 

 shown by the fact that if one awaits a Lynx at the 

 landing he is making for, he will not turn aside in the 

 least, but come right on to land, fight, and usually 

 perish. 



The ancient feud between cat and dog is not for- 

 gotten in the north, for the Lynx is the deadly foe of 

 the Fox and habitually kills it when there is soft snow 

 and scarcity of easier prey. Its broad feet are snow- 

 shoes enabling it to trot over the surface on Reynard's 

 trail. The latter easily runs away at first, but sink- 

 ing deeply at each bound, his great speed is done in 

 5 or 6 miles; the Lynx keeps on the same steady trot 

 and finally claims its victim. 



John Bellecourt related that in the January of 1907, 

 at a place 40 miles south of Smith Landing, he saw in the 

 snow where a Lynx had run down and devoured a Fox. 



A contribution by T. Anderson runs thus: 



In late March, 1907, an Indian named Amil killed 

 a Caribou near Fort Rae. During his absence a Lynx 

 came along and gorged itself with the meat, then lay 

 down alongside to sleep. A Silver Fox came next; 

 but the Lynx sprang on him and killed him. When 



