THE LYNX 



In North America the so-called Canada lynx, although often regarded as 

 a distinct species, differs, in the opinion of a well-known American naturalist, from 

 the lynx of northern Asia and Europe merely by features which may with safety 

 be ascribed to local environment, and should therefore be reckoned as yet another 

 geographical race, under the name of F. I. canadensis. Its range extended in former 

 days from Arctic America to the mountains of Pennsylvania ; the lynxes of Alaska 

 and Newfoundland respectively forming two minor races. 



Lynxes are extremely savage animals with immensely powerful limbs, which 

 appear out of proportion to the lean body. They are inhabitants of forest, where 

 they pass much of their time reposing on the horizontal boughs of trees, whence 

 they can launch themselves with unerring spring on any unsuspecting animal that 

 may be passing below, or from which they may ascend higher in search of squirrels 

 or birds and their nests. They by no means, however, confine their attention to 

 such arboreal game, but are relentless pursuers of hares and still smaller terrestrial 

 mammals of all kinds, while their agility is such that a half-tamed individual has 

 been repeatedly seen to catch pigeons out of a flock feeding on the ground as they 

 rose on the wing. In pursuit of ground-game they advance in long silent leaps, 

 and in winter are prevented from sinking in the snow when progressing in this 

 manner by the great size of their paws. 



Tangled thickets or other kinds of dense undergrowth are selected by the 

 lynx for its summer lair ; and in such localities in Norway the fluffy cubs are born. 

 In Tibet, however, these animals are compelled to exchange clefts in rocks for 

 the forests of Scandinavia and Russia. Unlike bears, lynxes, in common with all 

 members of the cat tribe, remain active throughout the winter, being sufficiently 

 protected against cold by the thickness of their soft fur. At this time of year they 

 are, however, frequently reduced to great straits by hunger ; and their endurance 

 must be simply marvellous to enable them when in this famishing condition to 

 hunt and capture from time to time such prey as may be on the move. 



59 



