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FELIS RUEA
F floridana, is usually of ‘& greyish hue without a rufous tinge, with black lines on the back and head, and with
dark spots. | Those from Texas and Arizona (EF. maculata) ate light reddish-brown mixed with greyish: with dines
spots on back and sides. All the specimens from this region, however, are not alike, some being Snetarehncm chen
thickly marked with dark spots while others, agin, are rsty-rey, with but faint spots
from Oregon and Washington ‘Territory (¥. fuaiata) are of
which is tinged with yellowish instead of being pure white. ‘This last ste is Yery handsome, and dsting
ity rich colouring. IF the above-mentioned styles were uniform and each restricted to certain locality’ ten
with some reason be regarded as species; but they vary among thenmsclves, and are evidently but member of the went
species presenting the results of a climatic influence incident to ther diferent geographical distribution
The Will Cat frequents the sides of wooded hil, the thickets ofthe south, swamps nd sue like reine st Ie
is very shy and wid, and is rarely cen away from some secure retreat, into which it-can disappenr at once tion
the approach of an enemy. It preys on the fiwns ofthe Virginian deer, young pig, hares, tree, euler
partridges, and other small animals, and, should it take up its abode neat a poulltyyard, fs not once
Haroo among the inmates. It doesnot seem to fer water, and often seeks the srcams fn qc of soy Ah of
my be upon the banks. This Lyn can ascend trees, and frequently docs so when hard pressed by deg, anf tread
to leave its post among the branches, fights desperately until killed. "It posses « go
various devices to throw its pursuers off the track—and when started, generally makes for some thicket whece table,
frequently and crosses its tracks many times to put the hounds at fault. It isnot ¢ vey active nome, tae
arene to taking the water. Audubon and Bachan state that this species produces from two to four young, sometiones
under an old log covered with vines, or else in a hollow tree, ovcasionally in an opening twenty fet Mich ae eahes
times in cavity at the root. In the Sierras of Pimoria Alta (Sonor) this Lynx sem to be quite conuon aed
Mr. Schott says that tres and specimens of it were found on the lower to Bravo. ‘Two exumples vere procure fa the
Sonorian mountains near Fort Yuma, and one near Laredo on the lower Rio Bravo, The later we hanacd va to
tnd made the valley resound with its fighting call, which was loud and abrupt, and furiously throws forth, eewbline
a smal sae the roar ofthe Puma under similar cireumstances, Aecording to De Kay, the Wild Cat wos very eens
the Colony of New York at its fist settlement, and one hundred and thicty year ago they were so nenence nn Seam
County that the Legislature passed an act for their destruc
General colour yellowish bro, spotted on the sides with dark brown. Forehead striped with dark brown, anda ln
ofthe se color in th centr ofthe back runing from the shoulder to the ta. Une surface yellows,
with black: Tail aoe lke the back, with several narrow transverse brown bars and tipped with black, Lace
brown spotted with black on the outside, the inner surface dull white with two broad and some nanow fesse n
Two black burs across the eeeks—one from the corner ofthe eye, and one beneath i. Whisker white ath black ve oo
Chin and throat whith, Breast white cose by sever ack bars ind part of ears lack. with conta gy on
inner surface yellowish white
Total length from nose to root of tal about 30 inches, til 5 inches.
The summer pelage is of a more reddish tnt than that of the winter
Specimens vary greatly, sas aleady been stated, some being very indistinctly spotted, while others are covered with
lange blotches with pale centres
Two of the styles are represented in the Plate
The skull is ater short and broad, withthe upper outing, when seen in profile, much arched. ‘The process of the
premarils are long and slender, and extend a considerable distance up the sides of the nails, separating theese dhe
tails, and Ivng but small sce betwen thir cos and thow of the prefontal. "The ort are insomple se
the interrtital spac rather wile, “The fren is slighty conve and adepenon between th nasalsprodoce gen
dcp grove at thexympliss.Brxincne broad and evenly rounded. Iniotital foramena large, ely yen ead ce
tattenedon the inner se. Upper cannes modertly long and mathe stout. Lower oulne of mandider eres en
struight for its entice length |
