The Jennings daily record. [volume] (Jennings, La.) 1900-1903, 1902-08-09
scoURcE OF CANADIAN WiLDs
TERROR WHEN At BAY.
Despite His Ferocity the Animal viii
Not Voluntarily Attack Man-Tree
His Refuge When Hard Pressed by
the Hunters.

Scarcely another animal presents
such a striking picture of savage hat
red, of uncompromising ferocity, as
Canadian lynx at bay. That brutal
heal, with low forehead beneath
which two cruel eyes are blazing like
evil stars that fierce display OF
teeth between the parted wrinkled
lips, ard the powerful, massive feet.
hiding fieshtearing hooks of living
steel, all impress the beholder with
the fact that personal encounter
with Canadian wildcat must end in
death for at least one of the combat
ants.
Not trat the lynx is specially ag-
gress,ve in his attitude toward men
Tar from it-and the stories of how he
follows 5e.ated hunters through the
overhansing branches of the forest
trees, seeking a favorite opportunity
TO spring upon his human prey, are
products of the Imagination. But
when after chase he is driven to
take refuge in a tree, where he
crouches in preparation for his last
battle, l would prefer, unless armed
with rifle, to interview almost any
other creature of equal weight.
Many years ago the Canadian lynx
vas to be found in the mountainous
districts of New England, New York
and Pennsylvania, but now he is sell
dom seen far south of the Canadian
border. He is to be met with in La
brador and is quite common in GER
tain parts Of the Dominion, where he
is hunted chiefly for his skin.
He is splendidly adapted for the
wild life which he leads. Clad in his
thick winter fur, he can resist the
most penetrating cold. and when his
hunting luck is against him, as it
often is, his great vitality enables
him to exist for many days without
food. His methods of pursuing and
capturing his prey are very similar to
those adopted by the domestic cat.
That is to say, he usually either lies
in weight until his victims uncon-
sciously come within jumping dis
lance or stalks them cautiously until
he is near enough to venture a swift
rush upon them. His great strength
of limb and his formidable teeth and
claws generally prevent any success
full opposition on the part of his in
tended prey. He is a great enemy Of
birds, particularly in the breeding
season, when he will often spring
upon grouse, wild geese and others
as they sit upon their eggs or as they
travel about hampered by their help
less little ones. He also preys upon
rabbits, hares and woodchucks, squir-
rals, young fawns and even lambs,
and young pigs if they stray to rea-
sonable distance from the barnyard.
1t is doubtful if he ever voluntarily at
at bay he has first and last put a good
many hunters out OF commission.
The Canadian lynx is splendid
climber, and although he usually trav
! els for some distance when pursued
he generally takes tree when hard
| pressed. Here he is safe from prac
tically all his enemies but man
Sometimes wildcat will endeavor to
| escape by leaping from tree to tree
to the ground. but it is remarkable
from what a height the creature can
leap without injuring himself. More
over, he is not the least bit discon-
certed by the drop, but, alighting on
all fours. he is prepared to at once do
battle with his enemies. He is also 4
good swimmer, and more than once
canoeists have been surprised to have
have him come aboard in mfdStream,
his idea. no doubt, being simply to
rest from his eXertions. He is not
an easy problem for dog to solve, as
he is one mass of bone and muscle,
and when engaged in fighting seems
to bristle with teeth and claws. New
ertheless, dog with plenty of weight,
courage. and experience will generally
come out first best. although he may
look as though he had been put
through a cotton gin.