(_Felis (Lynx) lynx_)
Whether the lynx is more keen of vision than other animals is more than
problematical; but, nevertheless, it takes its name from the Greek word
(_luké_) for light, and lynx-eyed has become a proverbial expression.
Moreover, as if to set a seal of endorsement upon the proverb, the
oldest and most renowned scientific society in Italy bears the title of
_Regia Lynceorum Academia_ (the “Royal Academy of Lynxes”).
Be all this as it may, the lynx is an aberrant and well-marked member
of the _Felidæ_, distinguished, together with its immediate relatives,
from other members of the cat tribe by its short, stumpy tail, the long
tufts of hair at the tips of the ears, and the bushy whitish whiskers
fringing the face, as well as by the large size of the feet, and a
generally stout appearance, due to the thickness of the coat.
The beautiful fur of the lynx, which commands a high price in the
market, has also a character all its own, being long, soft, and silky,
with a greyish or reddish tawny colour, and in most cases a number of
more or less dark markings, which take the form of longitudinal streaks
along the back, of flecks on the sides, and roundish spots on the
limbs; the greater portion of the absurd apology for a tail, together
with the backs and tufts of the ears, and a conspicuous streak on each
side of the face, being black. Many lynx-skins are, however, more or
less completely devoid of the dark markings; and it does not yet appear
to be ascertained whether the difference in this respect is individual
or seasonal.
When the markings are fully developed, they so completely break up the
outline of the body as to render the animal almost invisible at a short
distance; this being noticeable even within the cramped confines of a
cage.
The lynx is the second and largest species of the cat tribe inhabiting
northern Europe, where it is common in Scandinavia and Russia, while
to the south it is found in mountainous districts as far as Spain.
Eastwards it extends across Asia, from the Caucasus and northern
Persia, to the northward of the Himalaya to the island of Saghalin. Its
fossil remains prove that it was formerly a native of the British Isles.
The Tibetan lynx, on account of its generally paler colour, has been
separated as _F. lynx isabellina_, while the one from the Urals,
Caucasus, and northern Persia is distinguished as _F. l. cervaria_. The
Altai lynx, characterised by its unusually long coat, the, at least
frequent, absence of spots, except on the limbs, and its extremely pale
colouring, approximating in many parts to white, has likewise received
a separate racial name, _F. l. wardi_.
[Illustration]
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. l. 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.