The peshoo can not be said to be a very dangerous animal, unless it is attacked, when it becomes a most ferocious antagonist.  The writer knew of a gentleman who was pounced upon and very nearly killed by one of these infuriated creatures, and there are many like instances on record.

The principal food of the lynx consists of the smaller quadrupeds, the American hare being its favorite article of diet.  It is a good swimmer, and a most agile climber, chasing its prey among the branches with great stealth and dexterity.  Like the wolf, fox, and many other flesh eating-animals, the lynx does not content itself with the creatures which fall by the stroke of its own talons, or the grip of its own teeth, but will follow the trail of the puma, in its nocturnal quest after prey, and thankfully partake of the feast which remains after its predecessor has satisfied its appetite.

[Illustration]

While running at full speed, the lynx presents a most ludicrous appearance, owing to its peculiar manner of leaping.  It progresses in successive bounds, with its back slightly arched, and all the feet striking the ground nearly at the same instant.  Powerful as the animal is, it is easily killed by a blow on the [Page 165] back, a slight stick being a sufficient weapon wherewith to destroy the creature.  For this reason the “Dead-fall” is particularly adapted for its capture, and is very successful, as the animal possesses very little cunning, and will enter an enclosure of any kind without the slightest compunction, when a tempting bait is in view.  The dead-fall should of course be constructed on a large scale, and it is a good plan to have the enclosure deep, and the bait as far back as will necessitate the animal being well under the suspended log in order to reach it.  The bait may consist of a dead quadruped or of fresh meat of any kind.

The Gun trap, page 20, and the Bow trap, page 23, will also be found efficient, and a very powerful twitch-up, constructed from a stout pole and extra strong wire will also serve to good purpose.  The lynx is not so prolific as many of the feline tribe, the number of its young seldom exceeding two, and this only once a year.  The fur of the animal is valuable for the purposes to which the feline skin is generally adapted, and commands a fair price in the market.  Those who hunt or trap the lynx will do well to choose the winter months for the time of their operations, as during the cold season the animal possesses a thicker and warmer fur than it offers in the summer months.

When the steel trap is used, it should be of size No. 4, page [Page 166] 141, set at the opening of a pen of stakes, the bait being placed at the back of the enclosure in such a position, as that the animal will be obliged to step upon the pan of the trap in order to reach it.  Any of the devices described under “Hints on Baiting” will be found successful.

The skin of the animal may be removed as directed in the case of the fox, being drawn off the body whole, or it may be removed after the manner of the beaver, and similarly stretched.