A Natural History for Young People: Our Animal Friends in Their Native Homes: including mammals, birds and fishesHumphreys, Phebe Westcott
History
A Natural History for Young People: Our Animal Friends in Their Native Homes: including mammals, birds and fishes
Humphreys, Phebe Westcott
Natural history -- Juvenile literature
The Ocelot, one of the most beautiful of the Cat family, is a little
more than three feet in length. The color of its fur is a greyish fawn,
marked with large spots of a bright fawn, edged with black. Its habits
are entirely nocturnal; it feeds on Monkeys, Rodents and Birds, climbing
the trees in their pursuit with great swiftness. It is found in various
parts of North and South America.
Like the Puma, it rapidly becomes attached to Man. Azara has seen one
which, although it enjoyed the greatest liberty, would never leave its
master.
THE LYNXES.
The animals belonging to the Lynx family differ from the other Felidae
in their longer coat, their shorter tail, and their ears, which are
terminated by a tuft of hair. A great number of varieties of Lynx are
known, as well in the Old as in the New World. The principal ones,
however, are the European Lynx, the Canada Lynx and the Caracal.
THE EUROPEAN LYNX.
The European Lynx is well known in the great forests of Northern Europe
and in Asia; it is also found in some of the Alps and Pyrenees, as well
as in the Sierras of Spain. This animal measures from thirty to
thirty-six inches, not including the tail, which is four inches long.
The upper parts of its body are of a bright red color, with small brown
spots, while the under parts are white. On each side of its face it has
an addition of white hairs, which resemble whiskers.
The name of “Loup-cervier” sometimes given to it, probably originated
from its howling like a Wolf during the night. It nimbly climbs trees in
pursuit of prey. Martens, Ermines, Hares and Rabbits are its favorite
food. It does not, however, eat the flesh of larger victims, unless its
hunger is extreme; but generally is satisfied by sucking out the brain.
Taken young, it becomes accustomed to captivity, and is fond of being
caressed, but it will return to its wild life if opportunity offers, so
really never becomes attached to its master. It is an extremely cleanly
animal, and, like the Cat, passes a large portion of its time in washing
and cleansing its fur.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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