cat, aiid that hunters who have killed them in modern days have 
never brought them to the attention of naturalists because they 
thought them domestic cats, and thus they have escaped the at- 
tention of naturalists. 
Naturalists May Have Overlooked It 
Dr. Henry C. Mercer, of Doylestown, who saw the animal 
killed in Vinicum. not only says that the specimen is an European 
wild cat, but is inclined to the opinion that the animals are indi- 
genous to this country. Me cites a quotation from Oliver Gold- 
smith's "History of Animated Nature/' in which Goldsmith 
states that Columbus was shown one of these wild cats by a 
hunter who killed it on this side of the Atlantic. 
Well Established in Tinicum 
It may be difficult to prove now that this animal is native to 
America. There is not much doubt, however, that it has become 
thoroughly established in the Tinicum Swamp. Residents in the 
vicinity have known of the existence of strange animals there for 
several years. Two similar animals were killed in that territory 
between two and three years ago, while the one trapped this week 
had a mate which is still in hiding in the rocky fastnesses of the 
swamp region. 
The specimen captured on January 16 is still in the posses- 
sion of Game Protector Fretz, who has called the attention of 
Dr. Woodruff, a noted naturalist of this State, to the capture. 
The animal will be exhibited at the annual meeting and smoker 
of the Bucks County Fish, Game and Forestry Association in 
the Sixth Regiment Armory next Tuesday night, after which it 
will be placed in the hands of a taxidermist for mounting. — Bucks 
County News, January 21, 1022. 
