754 A Monograph of the Species of Lynx. [No. 128. 



and often uniting, more or less, to form transverse streaks on the limbs, 

 similar to those visible on their inner aspect. The belly is clad with 

 longer hair, which is white, with rather large black spots ; the summit 

 of the back, and across the shoulders, are darker ; the facial markings are 

 more or less brought out, different individuals varying a good deal in 

 this respect; the ears have the basal dark mark distinct, which is not 

 generally the case with the last species ; and the tail is obscurely ringed 

 to near the end, where there is a distinct black ring, and beyond it a 

 lateral black spot, which joins that on the other side above, leaving the 

 extreme tip white : the under-surface of the paws and tarsus are con- 

 spicuously brown-black (as in F. chaus), which is also the case, but in 

 a less degree, in F. pardina ; and the irides are pale bluish, the pupils 

 of the eyes closing circularly (?). The young (as figured by F. Cuvier 

 by the appellation of " Chat a ventre tachete,") are clouded with much 

 larger spots, of a darker colour than the general ground-tint. 



The Bay Lynx appears to be pretty generally diffused in suitable 

 districts throughout the United States, as more especially in the forests 

 of the Alleghanies and other mountain ranges ; extending southward into 

 the Floridas and Mexico. It is also found in California, and about the 

 Columbia river, but it does not occur in the parallel of Labrador. Like 

 the rest, it chiefly inhabits the less frequented parts of the forest, where, 

 in the season, it " makes night hideous" with its loud caterwaulings. 

 It is very destructive to the fawns of the Virginian Deer, young Pigs, 

 Hares, &c. and especially to feathered game, including the wild Turkey 

 in the south. Brickell and Catesby assign to it the habit of dropping 

 from trees upon the backs of Deer, and sucking the blood of its victim. 

 When urged by hunger, it has been often known to follow the footsteps 

 of a hunter, who happened to be carrying the bleeding carcass of a 

 Deer, and become at length so excited, by sniffing and licking at the 

 drops of blood on the ground, as to spring up at the dead animal, and 

 sometimes lacerate the bearer with its talons ; but the next moment it 

 will be off and up the next tree, and pursue its course along the forest 

 boughs with such celerity, like a Puma or Leopard, that, if not sho 

 down at once, — and a wound that does not disable it may exasperate the 

 creature to attack with fury, — it has every chance of escape. When 

 angry, it erects the facial ruff, which helps to impart a savage aspect to 

 the animal. 



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