FEUS »UFA.
F. floridana, is usually of a greyish hue without a rufous tinge, with block lines on the back and head, and with
dark spots. Those from Texas and Arizona (F. maculata) are.light reddish-brown mixed with greyish, with distinct
spots on back and sides. All the specimens from this region, however, are not alike, some being chestnut-brown above,
thickly marked with dark .spots, while others, again, are rusty-grey, with but faint spots. The north-western examples
from Oregon and Washington Territory (F. fasciata) are of a dark foxy colour, this hue extending far on the belly,
which is tinged with yellowish instead of being pure white. This last style is very handsome, and distinguishable by
its rich colouring. If the above-mentioned styles were uniform and each restricted to a certain locality, they might
with some reason be regarded as species ; but they vary among themselves, and are evidently but members of the sanie
species presenting the results of a climatic influence incident to their different geographical distribution.
The Wild Cat frequents the sides of wooded hills, the thickets of the south, swamps and such like retired situations. It
is very shy and wild, and is rarely seen away from some secure retreat, into which it can disappear at once from
the approach of an enemy. It preys on the fawns of the Virginian deer, young pigs, hares, mice, poultry, ducks,
partridges, and other small animals, and, should it take up its abode near a poultly-yard, fails not to make great
havoc among the inmates. I t does not seem to fear water, and often seeks the streams in quest of any fish or frog that
may be upon the banks. This Lynx can ascend trees, and frequently does so when hard pressed by dogs, and, if forced
to leave its post among the branches, fights desperately until killed. It possesses a good deal of cunning, and resorts to
various devices to throw its pursuers off the track—and when started, generally makes for some thicket, where it doubles
frequently and crosses its tracks many times to put the hounds at fault. I t is not a very active swimmer, but is not
averse to taking the water. Audubon and Bachman state that this species produces from two to four young, sometimes
under an old log covered with vines, or else in a hollow tree, occasionally in an opening twenty feet high, at other
times in a cavity at the root. In the Sierras of Pimoria Alta (Sonora) this Lynx seems to be quite common ; and
Mr. Schott says that traces and specimens of it were found on the lower Bio Bravo. Two examples were procured in the
Sonorian mountains near Fort Yuma, and one near Laredo on the lower Bio Bravo. The latter was hunted with dogs,
and made the valley resound with its fighting call, which was loud and abrupt, and furiously thrown forth, resembling on
a small scale the roar of the Puma under similar circumstances. According to De Kay, the Wild Cat was very common in
the Colony of New York at its first settlement, and one hundred and thirty years ago they were so numerous in Suffolk
County that the Legislature passed an act for their destruction.
General colour yellowish brown, spotted on the sides with dark brown. Forehead striped with dark brown, and a line
of the same colour in the centre of the back running from the shoulder to the tail. Under surface yellowish-white, spotted
with black. Tail above like the back, with several narrow transverse brown bars and tipped with black. Legs yellowish
brown spotted with black on the outside, the inner surface dull white with two broad and some narrow bars of black.
Two black bars across the cheeks—one from the comer of the eye, and one beneath it. Whiskers white with black centres.
Chin and throat whitish. Breast white crossed by several black bars Hind part of ears black with a central grey spot,
inner surface yellowish white.
Total length from nose to root of tail about 30 inches, tail 5 inches.
The summer pelage is of a more reddish tint than that of the winter.
Specimens vary greatly, as has already been stated, some being very indistinctly spotted, while others are covered with
large blotches with pale centres.
Two of the styles are represented in the Plate.
lh e skull is rather short and broad, with the upper outline, when seen in profile, much arched. The processes of the
premaxillas are long and slender, and extend a considerable distance up the sides of the nasals, separating them from the
maxillas, and leaving but a small space between their ends and those of the prefrontals. The orbits are incomplete, and
the interorbital space rather wide. The forehead is slightly concave ; and a depression between the nasals produces a rather
deep groove at the symphysis. Brain-case broad and evenly rounded. Infraorbital foramena large, freely open, and slightly
flattened on the inner side. Upper canines moderately long and rather stout. Lower outline of mandibular ramus nearly
straight for its entire length.