TEXAN LYNX 
295 
HABITS. 
This variety of Lynx may be called the Common Wild-Cat of Texas, 
where it is occasionally found even on the prairies, although it generally 
confines itself to the, neighbourhood of woods and chaparal. 
The Texan Wild-Cat is, like the Lynx rufus, a wily and audacious depre- 
dator— he steals the fowls from the newly-established rancho, or petty 
farm ; follows the hares, rats, and birds, and springs upon them in the tall 
rank grass, or thick underbrush, and will sometimes even rob the ranger 
of a fine turkey ; for should the Wild-Cat be lurking in the dense thicket, 
when the crack of the rifle is heard, and the wild gobbler or hen falls 
slanting to the earth, he will, instead of flying with terror from the 
startling report of the gun, dart towards the falling bird, seize it as it 
touches the ground, and bear it off at full speed, even if in sight of the 
enraged and disappointed marksman who brought down the prize. In 
general, however, the Southern Lynx (as this species is sometimes called) 
will fly from man’s presence, and will only come abroad during the day 
when very hard pressed by hunger, when it may be occasionally seen near 
little thickets, on the edges of the prairies, or in the open ground, prowl- 
ing with the stealthy sneaking gait observed in the domestic cat, when 
similarly employed. This species of Wild-Cat is better able to escape 
from an ordinary pack of dogs, than the Common Lynx, being accustomed 
to the great distances across the high dry prairies, which it must fre- 
quently cross at full speed. We have known one chased, from 11 o’clodc 
in the morning till dark night, without being “treed.” The animal, m 
fact, prefers running, to resorting to a tree at all times, and will not 
ascend one unless it be nearly exhausted, and hard pressed by the hounds. 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
This variety of the Bay Lynx is believed to exist throughout Mexico ; 
we have seen specimens, obtained in that country, in several Museums of 
Europe, especially those of Berlin and Dresden ; in the latter, the specimen 
described and figured by Reichenbaoii is preserved. His figure, however, 
which we have compared with the original, is likely to mislead ; the legs 
and tail being much too long. It exists in New Mexico, and we have 
heard that a Wild-Cat, supposed to be the present variety, is found in 
California. The specimen from which our drawing was made, was pro- 
cured with several others by John W. Audubon, in the vicinity of Castro- 
ville, on the head waters of the Medina, in Texas ; we possess a specimen 
