IX. THE THIBETAN LYNX (Felis Isabellina)
Thibetan, ‘Ee’
This beautiful animal is very rarely met with, but as the Tartars know it well by name, it is possible that it may be more plentiful than is commonly supposed; its nocturnal habits, as in the case of the ounce, shielding it from observation. The Tartars aver that it frequently kills sheep and goats; but though the lynx is quite powerful enough to do so, it is probable that the natives occasionally confound the lynx with the ounce. The lynx stands about 17 ins. at the shoulder, and is of enormously powerful make, with teeth and claws large enough for an animal of twice its size.
The Thibetan lynx has the orthodox prominent whiskers which are absent in the red lynx of the plains, but it differs from the European variety in the pads of its feet being prominent and bare, with short close fur between them, whereas in the European lynx the long fur completely conceals the pads.
The red lynx, Felis caracal, called by natives ‘Siagosh,’ is occasionally met with all over India. It is not common anywhere, or at least, possibly owing to its nocturnal habits, it is not often shot. A few are known to have been shot in Central India. It preys chiefly on hares, birds, and small deer. Sterndale gives the following measurements: Head and body, 26 to 30 ins.: tail, 9 or 10 ins.; height, 16 to 18 ins.
Measurements
| Authority | Total length | Tail | Height at shoulder | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felis Pardus | ||||
| ft. ins. | ins. | ins. | ||
| Col. Gordon Cumming (‘Wild Men and Wild Beasts’) | 7 10 | .. | .. | Male |
| ” | 7 8 | .. | .. | ” |
| Capt. A. G. Ferguson | 7 8 | .. | .. | |
| Col. Howard | 7 4½ | .. | .. | Male |
| Mr. H. L. Heber Percy | 7 4[22] | .. | .. | Nepal, Dec. 9, 1892 |
| ” | 7 1[22] | .. | .. | ” Jan. 30, 1891 |
| Sir E. Durand, Bart. | 7 1[22] | .. | .. | ” Jan. 17, 1891 |
| Major FitzHerbert | 6 8½ | .. | 26½ | Male |
| Col. Kinloch | 6 4 | .. | .. | Female |
| Col. Howard | 6 0 | .. | .. | ” |
| Sterndale’s ‘Mammalia’ | 7 0 to 8 8 | 30 to 38 | .. | Pard |
| ” | 5 6 to 6 0 | 30 | 18 to 24 | Panther (female) |
| Sanderson (‘Thirteen Years among the Wild Beasts’) | 6 8 | .. | .. | |
| ” | 6 3½ | .. | 26 | ” |
| ” | 6 10 | .. | .. | ” |
| ” | 5 4 | .. | .. | Leopard (male) |
| ” | 5 2 | .. | .. | ” (female) |
| Felis diardii | ||||
| Sterndale | 6 4 | 36 | .. | Jerdon states that it grows to a larger size |
| Felis jubata | ||||
| Sterndale | 7 0 | 30 | 30 to 33 | |
| Felis Uncia | ||||
| Sterndale | 7 4 | 36 | 24 | Measurements apparently too big |
| Major Ward (‘Sportsman’s Guide to Kashmir’) | 6 4 | 36 | .. | Male |
| ” | 6 0 | 33 | .. | Female |
| Capt. Dawkins (May 24, 1884.) | 5 11½ | 36 | 18 | Male |
X. WOLVES AND WILD DOGS
Space does not permit an exhaustive description of these vermin, and it must be briefly said that there are three kinds of wolves in India. First is the ordinary wolf of the plains (Canis pallipes) which is more destructive to children and cattle than to game, and is generally called ‘Bheria’ by the natives. Authenticated tales of its ravages among the infant population are only too common, an old bitch wolf with cubs laid up near a village naturally finding Indian baby the most easily procured and most succulent diet for her offspring. Wolves have occasionally been ridden down and speared, but only when found in the morning, and more or less gorged; a wolf in the evening, when empty, will lope along just ahead of good greyhounds till the latter lie down exhausted. They can occasionally be smoked out if their earths are found. Williamson describes a big bag made in this way near Allahabad in 1780; the earths were dug out, and at least ten pounds weight of children’s ornaments found in them. He also narrates a ghastly story of the way wolves attacked the starving natives during the famine of 1783 in broad daylight; as a rule, however, they seldom attack men.