COUSINS OF CATS 



229 



House Cat. 



" In spite of its climbing propensi- 

 ties, tlie Ocelot is a swift runner, and 

 leads the dogs, with whom it was for- 

 merly always hunted, a wild chase, 

 crossing and doubling among the water- 

 ways of its haunts in a manner to throw 

 the keenest hound off the scent." 



■"Now m}' three grinning 



heads," said Uodo, gazing at her 

 favorite picture ; '' are they three 

 kinds of cats, or a mother, father, 

 and child? I think they look 

 like a family." 



" Three different species," said 

 Dr. Roy ; " and the heads are 

 drawn in exact proportion, so 

 that you may judge of their 

 size. The smallest is the House 

 Cat, an emigrant like our- 

 selves. The next in size is 

 the Wildcat, or Bay Lynx, 

 and the largest with the hairy 

 ear tufts is the savage Can- 

 ada Lynx, called Loup Cervier 

 by the early travellers. 



" You all know the House 

 Cat and its habits : how it 

 purrs when it is going to 

 sleep or feels pleased ; how 

 it sharpens its claws on car- 

 pet or wood, drawing them 

 in and out at will ; how Canada Lynx. 



Wildcat. 



