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THE

QUADRUPEDS

OF

NORTH AMERICA.

BY

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON, F.R.S., &o., &o.

AlH)

THE EEV. JOHN BACHMAN, D.D., LL.D., &c. &c.

V O L. 1 1 .

N E W - Y O R K: PUBLISHED BY V. G. AUDUBON.

M DCCC LI,

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1861, by V. G. AUDUB ON,

In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New- York.

H. LUDWIG, PBINTEB, 63, VESEY-ST., N. T.

QUADRUPEDS OE NORTH AMERICA.

GENUS LUTRA. — Ray., Cuv., Mustela spec., Linn., Aonyx, Lesson.

DENTAL FORMULA.

6 ^ . 1-1 , 5-5

Incisive Canine—; Molar — =36

5 1—1 5—5

The second inferior incisor on each side, a little receding in most of the species ; the canine much dilated, hooked ; first superior molar, small, blunt, and sometimes deciduous ; the second, cutting ; the third, of similar form, but larger ; the fourth, with two external points, but furnished with a strong spur on the inner side ; the fifth has externally three small points, with a broad spur internally. The inferior molars in this genus vary from five to six, the first being wanting in some of the species.

Head large and flattish, terminating in a blunt muzzle ; ears short and round ; tongue slightly papillous. Body long and slender ; legs short ; toes five on each foot. In some of the species the fifth toe on the hind foot is rudimental. Toes webbed, armed with short claws which are not retractile. Tail, not as long as the body, thick, and flattened hori- zontally.

Body covered externally with long, rigid and glossy hair, with a softer, shorter, downy fur intermixed.

On each side of the anus, there is a small gland secreting fetid matter.

All the species are good swimmers, live along the banks of rivers and ponds, and feed on fish.

The generic appellation is derived from Lutra — an Otter : from the Greek Aet* (lous), wash.

There are eleven species enumerated by authors, inhabiting the follow- vol. it. — '1

2

CANADA OTTER.

ing countries : Europe 1, Island of Trinidad 1, Guyana 1, Brazil 1, Kamt- schatka 1, Java 1, Malay 1, Pondicherry 1, The Cape of Good Hope 1, and North America 2.

LUTEA CANADENSIS.— Sabike.

Canada Otter.

PLATE LI. — Male.

L. vellere nitido, saturate fusco ; mento gulaque fusco albis ; L. vul- gare major.

CHARACTERS.

Larger than the European Otter, L. Vulgaris, Dark glossy brown ; chin and throat dusky white ; five feet in length.

SYNONYMES.

Loutke de Canada, Buffon, vol. xiii., p. 326, t. 44.

Common Otter, Pennant, Arctic Zoolog., vol. i., p. 653.

Land Otter, Warden’s Hist. U. S., p. 206.

Lutra Canadensis, Sabine, Franklin’s Journ., p. 653.

“ Brasiliensis, Harlan, Fauna, p. V2.

“ “ Godman, Nat. Hist., vol. i., p. 222.

“ Canadensis, Dekay, Zool., p. 1., p. 39.

DESCRIPTION.

Head, large and nearly of a globular form ; nose, blunt and naked ; lips, thick ; ears, round, slightly ovate, and closer together than in L. Vulgaris, clothed densely with short hair on both surfaces ; body, long, eylindrical ; neck, long ; legs, short and stout ; moustaches, very rigid, like bristles ; soles of the feet, thinly clothed with hair between the toes, tubercles at the roots of the claws, naked ; feet, webbed to the nails ; Tail, stout, gradually tapering toward the extremity, depressed at the base, continuing flattened through half its length ; at the base there are two oval glands. The longer hairs covering the fur, are glossy and rigid ; fur, soft, dense, and nearly as fine as that of the Beaver, continuing through the whole extent of the body, even to the extremity of the tail, but shorter on the forehead and extremities.

Plate LI

Diawnfrommmre!.yJ Uudul.OiirRSlLS . L,th PimledaCoinj J.T.Rower.PJuiaj*

CANADA OTTER.

3

We overlooked the opportunity of instituting a careful comparison be- tween the skulls and teeth of the European and American Otters, and have now no access to specimens of the former. We therefore quote the language of Dr. Dekay, whose observations in this respect correspond with our recollections of a general comparison made at the Berlin Museum, eleven years ago. “ In their dentition the Otters are eminently characterized by the enormous dilation of the two posterior cheekteeth in the upper jaw. Our species, in this particular, offers some variations from the European Otter. The penultimate jaw tooth, in our species, has a broad internal heel directed obliquely forward, with a deep fissure dividing the surface into two rounded and elevated portions ; and the pointed tubercle is broad, with a high shoulder posteriorly, and comparatively little elevated. The last tubercular tooth subquadrate, nearly as large as the preceding, and its greater axis directed obliquely backwards with four or rather six distinct elevated points ; but the outer raised margin, which is so conspicuous in the European Otter, appears to be indistinct or simply elevated into two pointed tubercles, or wanting entirely, in the American.”

In age, the canine as well as the anterior molars become much worn. In a specimen from Carolina, the incisors are worn down to the upper surface of the jaw teeth ; in another from Georgia, all the teeth ai'e worn down to the gums. A specimen from Canada and another from Texas have the teeth very pointed, and the canine projecting beyond the lips. These were evidently younger animals. In older specimens we have on several occasions found the two anterior jaw teeth entirely wanting, as well as some of the incisors, the former appearing to have dropped out at about the fourth year.

COLOUR.

A specimen from Lower Canada. Moustaches very light brown, many being white, those on the sides of the face dingy white ; upper lip and chin light grayish brown, a shade darker under the throat ; the long hairs covering the fur are in one half of their length from their roots dingy white, gradually deepening into brown. The general colour on the upper surface is that of a rich dark chesnut brown, a shade lighter on the whole of the under surface. Richardson states : “ The Canada Otter may be distinguished from the European species by the fur of its belly being of the same shining brown colour with that of the back.” In this particular our observations do not correspond with those of our distinguished friend. Out of more than a hundred speci- mens of American Otters which we have examined, many of which came

4

CANADA OTTER.

from Canada and the Rocky Mountains, we have but with one or two ex ceptions found the colour on the under surface lighter than on the back.

A specimen from Carolina, an old male, teeth much worn.

Upper lip from the nostrils, chin and throat to near the chest, grayish white ; the fur on the back, although not quite so long as that of speci- mens from Canada, is quite dense and silky, and very nearly equal in fine- ness. It is whitish at the roots, with a bluish tinge towards the extremities. The longer hairs which conceal the fur and present the external colouring are very nearly of the same tint as in those procured in Canada, so that the specimens from these widely separated localities can scarcely be re- garded even as varieties.

A specimen from Colorado, Texas.

(The form is precisely similar to the Otters of Canada and those existing in various intermediate States. The palms are naked, with a little less hair between the toes on the upper and under surfaces.) The colour is throughout two shades lighter than that of specimens from Canada, but the markings are similarly distributed. Fur on the back from the roots soiled white, inclining to brown at the tips. The long and rigid hairs on the upper surface lightish brown at the roots, then dark brown, tipped with lightish brown.

DIMENSIONS.

Specimen from Canada. — Adult male.

Feet. Inches.

From point of nose to root of tail, - - - 2 5

Tail, 17

From point of nose to eye, 0 1|

From point of nose to ear, - - 0 4

Height of ear, OOf

Breadth of ear at base, . - o Of

Specimen from Carolina.

From point of nose to root of tail,

Tail, -

Point of nose to eye, ...

“ “ to ear.

Height of ear, .... Breadth at base, ....

Weight, 23 lbs.

2 7

1 5

0 If 0 3f 0 Of 0 Of

CANADA O'rrER.		5
Specimen from the Colorado, in I exas.	Feet	Inches.
From nose to root of tail, . - -	2	7
Length of tail, -	1	6
From point of nose to eye, . - -	0	If
“ “ to ear, - - -	0	3f
Between the ears, . . - -	- - 0	3f
Height, ------	0	10
Around the body behind the shoulder.	1	5|
Around the body, (middle,) - Weight 20 lbs. HABITS.	1

We concluded our first volume with a brief account of Spermophilus Richardsonii, the last animal figured in plates 1 to 50 inclusive, of our illustrations of the Quadrupeds of North America. Having, since that volume was written, published about 60 more plates, w^e now take up our pen to portray the habits and describe the forms and colours of the species figured in plates 51 to 100 inclusive, and shall, we hope, be able to give our readers tolerably good accounts of them ; although, alas ! the days of our youth are gone, when, full of enthusiasm, and anxious to examine every object in nature within our reach, the rising sun never found us slumbering away the fresh hours of the morning, but beamed upon our path through the deep forest, or lighted up to joy and glad- ness the hill side or mountain top, which we had already gained in quest of the birds or the beasts that were to be met with ; and where we often prolonged our rambles until the shades of evening found us yet at a distance from our camp, loaded with wild turkeys, ducks, geese, and perchance an Otter.

Fresh and pleasant in our mind is the recollection of our early expe- ditions among the wild woods, and along the unvisited shores of our new country ; and although more than forty years of varied and busy life have passed since the Otter was shot and drawn, whose figure we have given, we will try to take you with us to a spot on the eastern banks of the fair Ohio. It is a cold wintry morning : the earth concealed by a slight cover- ing of snow, and the landscape in all its original wildness. Here let us proceed cautiously, followed by that constant companion, our faithful dog. Whilst we are surveying the quiet waters as they roll onward toward the great Mississippi, in whose muddy current they will lose their clear and limpid character, and become as opaque and impetuous as the waves of that mighty river of the West, we see a dark object making its way

6

CANADA OTTER.

towards the spot on which we stand, through the swiftly dividing ele- ment. It has not observed us : we remain perfectly still, and presently it is distinctly visible ; it is an Otter, and now within the range of our old gun “ Tear Jacket,” we take but one moment to raise our piece and fire ; the water is agitated by a violent convulsive movement of the animal, our dog plunges into the river, and swimming eagerly to the Otter, seizes it, but the latter dives, dragging the dog with it beneath the surface, and when they reappear, the Otter has caught the dog by the nose and is struggling violently. The brave dog, however, does not give up, but in a few moments drags the wounded Otter to the shore, and we imme- diately despatch it. Being anxious to figure the animal, we smooth its disordered fur and proceed homewards with it, where, although at that time we had not drawn many quadrupeds, we soon select a position in which to figure the Otter, and accordingly draw it with one foot in a steel-trap, and endeavour to represent the pain and terror felt by the creature when its foot is caught by the sharp saw-like teeth of the trap.

Not far from the town of Henderson, (Kentucky), but on the opposite side of the Ohio river, in the State of Indiana, there is a pond nearly one mile in length, with a depth of water varying from twelve to fifteen feet. Its shores are thickly lined with cane, and on the edge of the water stand many large and lofty cypress trees. We often used to seat ourselves on a fallen trunk, and watch in this secluded spot the actions of the birds and animals which resorted to it, and here we several times observed Otters engaged in catching fishes and devouring them. When pursuing a fish, they dived expertly and occasionally remained for more than a minute below the surface. They generally held their prey when they came to the top of the water, by the head, and almost invariably swam with it to a half-sunken log, or to the margin of the pond, to eat the fish at their ease, having done which, they returned again to the deep water to obtain more.

One morning we observed that some of these animals resorted to the neighbourhood of the root of a large tree which stood on the side of the pond opposite to us, and with its overhanging branches shaded the water. After a fatiguing walk through the tangled cane-brake and thick under- wood which bordered the sides of this lonely place, we reached the oppo- site side of the pond near the large tree, and moved cautiously through the mud and water towards its roots : but the hearing or sight of the Otters was attracted to us, and we saw several of them hastily make off at our approach. On sounding the tree with the butt of our gun, we dis- covered that it was hollow, and then having placed a large stick in a slanting position against the trunk, we succeeded in reaching the lowe.st

CANADA OTTER.

7

bough, and thence climbed up to a broken branch from which an aperture into the upper part of the hollow enabled us to examine the interior. At the bottom there was quite a large space or chamber to which the Otters retired, but whether for security or to sleep we could not decide.

Next morning we returned to the spot, accompanied by one of our neighbours, and having approached, and stopped up the entrance under water as noiselessly as possible, we cut a hole in the side of the tree four or five feet from the ground, and as soon as it was large enough to admit our heads, we peeped in and discovered three Otters on a sort of bed composed of the inner bark of trees and other soft substances, such as water grasses. We continued cutting the hole we had made, larger, and when sufficiently widened, took some green saplings, split them at the but-end, and managed to fix the head of each animal firmly to the ground by passing one of these split pieces over his neck, and then press- ing the stick forcibly downwards. Our companion then crept into the hollow, and soon killed the Otters, with which we returned home.

The American Otter frequents running streams, large ponds, and more sparingly the shores of some of our great lakes. It prefers those waters M^hich are clear, and makes a hole or burrow in the banks, the entrance to which is under water.

This species has a singular habit of sliding off the wet sloping banks into the water, and the trappers take advantage of this habit to catch the animal by placing a steel-trap near the bottom of their sliding places, so that the Otters occasionally put their foot into it as they are swiftly gliding toward the water.

In Carolina, a very common mode of capturing the Otter is by tying a pretty large fish on the pan of a steel-trap, which is sunk in the water where it is from five to ten feet deep. The Otter dives to the bottom to seize the fish, is caught either by the nose or foot, and is generally found drowned. At other times the trap is set under the water, without bait, on a log, one end of which projects into the water, whilst the other rests on the banks of a pond or river ; the Otter, in endeavouring to mount the log, is caught in the trap.

Mr. Godman, in his account of these singular quadrupeds, states that “ their favourite sport is sliding, and for this purpose in winter the highest ridge of snow is selected, to the top of which the Otters scramble, where, lying on the belly with the fore-feet bent backwards, they give them- selves an impulse with their hind legs and swiftly glide head-foremost down the declivity, sometimes for the distance of twenty yards. This sport they continue apparently with the keenest enjoyment until fatigue or hunger induces them to desist.”

CANADA OTTER.

8

This statement is confirmed by Cartwright, Hearne, Richardson, and more recent writers who have given the history of this species, and is in accordance with our own personal observations.

The Otters ascend the bank at a place suitable for their diversion, and sometimes where it is very steep, so that they are obliged to make quite an effort to gain the top ; they slide down in rapid succession where there are many at a sliding place. On one occasion we were resting ourself on the bank of Canoe Creek, a small stream near Henderson, which empties into the Ohio, when a pair of Otters made their appearance, and not observing our proximity, began to enjoy their sliding pastime. They glided down the soap-like muddy surface of the slide with the rapidity of an arrow from a bow, and we counted each one making twenty-two slides before we disturbed their sportive occupation.

This habit of the Otter of sliding down from elevated places to the borders of streams, is not confined to cold countries, or to slides on the snow or ice, but is pursued in the Southern States, where the earth is seldom covered with snow, or the waters frozen over. Along the reserve- dams of the rice fields of Carolina and Georgia, these slides are very common. From the fact that this occurs in most cases during winter, about the period of the rutting season, we are inclined to the belief that this propensity may be traced to those instincts which lead the sexes to their periodical associations.

Richardson says that this species has the habit of travelling to a great distance through the snow in search of some rapid that has resisted the severity of the winter frosts, and that if seen and pursued by hunters on these journeys, it will throw itself forward on its belly and slide through the snow for several yards, leaving a deep furrow behind it, which move- ment is repeated with so much rapidity, that even a swift runner on snow shoes has some difficulty in overtaking it. He also remarks that it dou- bles on its track with much cunning, and dives under the snow to elude its pursuers.

The Otter is a very expert swimmer, and can overtake almost any fish, and as it is a voracious animal, it doubtless destroys a great number of fresh water fishes annually. We are not aware of its having a preference for any particular species, although it is highly probable that it has. About twenty-five years ago we went early one autumnal morning to study the habits of the Otter at Gordon and Spring’s Ferry, on the Cooper River, six miles above Charleston, where they were represented as being quite abundant. They came down with the receding tide in groups or families of five or six together. In the space of two hours we counted forty-six. They soon sepiarated, ascended the different creeks in the salt

CANADA OTTER.

9

marshes, and engaged in capturing mullets {Mugil). In most cases they came to the bank with a fish in their mouth, despatching it in a minute, and then hastened again after more prey.- They returned up the river to their more secure retreats with the rising tide. In the small lakes and ponds of the interior of Carolina, there is found a favourite fish with the Ot- ter, called the fresh- water trout {Grystes salmoides).

Although the food of the Otter in general is fish, yet when hard pressed by hunger, it will not reject animal food of any kind. Those we had in confinement, when no fish could be obtained were fed on beef, which they always preferred boiled. During the last winter we ascertained that the skeleton and feathers of a wild duck were taken from an Otter’s nest on the banks of a rice field reserve-dam. It was conjectured that the duck had either been killed or wounded by the hunters, and was in this state seized by the Otter. This species can be kept in confinement easily in a pond surrounded by a proper fence where a good supply of fish is procurable.

On throwing some live fishes into a small pond in the Zoological Gardens in London, where an Otter was kept alive, it immediately plunged off the bank after them, and soon securing one, rose to the sur- face holding its prize in its teeth, and ascending the bank, rapidly ate it by large mbuthfuls, and dived into the water again for another. This it repeated until it had caught and eaten all the fish which had been thrown into the water for its use. When thus engaged in devouring the luckless fishes the Otter bit through them, crushing the bones, which we could hear snapping under the pressure of its powerful jaws.

When an Otter is shot and killed in the water, it sinks from the weight of its skeleton, the bones being nearly solid and therefore heavy, and the hunter consequently is apt to lose the game if the water be deep ; this animal is, however, usually caught in strong steel-traps placed and baited in its haunts ; if caught by one of the fore-feet, it will sometimes gnaw the foot off, in order to make its escape.

Otters when caught young are easily tamed, and although their gait is ungainly, will follow their owner about, and at times are quite playful. We have on two occasions domesticated the Otter. The individuals had been captured when quite young, and in the space of two or three days became as tame and gentle as the young of the domestic dog. They preferred milk and boiled corn meal, and refused to eat fish or meat of any kind, until they were several months old. They became so attached to us, that at the moment of their entrance into our study they commenced crawling into our lap — mounting our table, romping among our books and vot. n. — 2

10

CANADA OTTER.

writing materials, and not unfrequentlj'^ upsetting our ink-stand and de- ranging our papers.

The American Otter has one litter annually, and the young, usually two and occasionally three in number, are brought forth about the mid- dle of April, according to Dr. Richardson, in high northern latitudes. In the Middle and Southern States they are about a month earlier, and probably litter in Texas and Mexico about the end of February.

The nest, in which the Otter spends a great portion of the day and in which the young are deposited, we have had opportunities of exam- ining on several occasions. One we observed in an excavation three feet in diameter, in the bank of a rice field ; one in the hollow of a fallen tree, and a third under the root of a cypress, on the banks of Cooper river, in South Carolina ; the materials — sticks, grasses and leaves — were abun- dant ; the nest was large, in all cases protected from the rains, and above and beyond the influence of high water or freshets.

J. W. Audubon procured a fine specimen of the Otter, near Lagrange in Texas, on the twenty-third of February, 1846. It was shot whilst play- ing or sporting in a piece of swampy and partially flooded ground, about sunset, — its dimensions we have already given.

Early writers have told us that the common Otter of Europe had long been taught to catch fish for its owners, and that in the houses of the great in Sweden, these animals were kept for that purpose, and would go out at a signal from the cook, catch fish and bring it into the kitchen in order to be dressed for dinner.

This, however improbable it may at first appear, is by no means un- likely, except that we doubt the fact of the animal’s going by itself for the fish.

Bewick relates some anecdotes of Otters which captured salmon and other fish for their owners, for particulars of which we must refer our readers to his History of Quadrupeds.

Our late relative and friend, N. Berthoud, Esq., of St. Louis, told us some time since, that while travelling through the interior of the State of Ohio, he stopped at a house where the landlord had four Otters alive which were so gentle that they never failed to come when he whistled for them, and that when they approached their master they crawled along slowly and with much apparent humility towards him, and looked somewhat like enormous thick and short snakes.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

The geographical range of this species includes almost the whole con-

CANADA OTTER.

11

tinent of North America, and possibly a portion of South America. It has, however, been nearly extirpated in our Atlantic States east of Maryland, and is no longer found abundantly in many parts of the country in which it formerly was numerously distributed.

It is now procured most readily, in the western portions of the Uni- ted States and on the Eastern shore of Maryland. It is still abundant on the rivers and the reserve-dams of the rice fields of Carolina, and is not rare in Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.

A considerable number are also annually obtained in the British pro- vinces. We did not capture any Otters during our journey up the Missouri to the Yellow Stone River, but observed traces of them in the small water courses in that direction.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Much perplexity exists in regard to the number of species of American Otters, and consequently in determining their nomenclature. Ray, in 1693, described a specimen from Brazil under the name of Braziliensis. It was subsequently noticed by Brisson, Blumenbach, D’azara, Marcgrave, ScHREBER, Shaw, and others. We have not had an opportunity of com- paring our North American species with any specimen obtained from Brazil. The loose and unscientific descriptions we have met with of the Brazilian Otter, do not agree in several particulars with any variety of the species found in North America ; there is, however, a general resem- blance in size and colour. Should it hereafter be ascertained by closer investigations that the species existing in these widely removed localities are mere varieties, then the previous name of Braziliensis (Ray) must be substituted for that of L. Canadensis, Fr. Cuvier.

In addition to the yet undecided species of Ray, Fr. Cuvier has sepa- rated the Canada from the Carolina species, bestowing on the former the name of L. Canadensis, and on the latter that of L. Lataxina. Gray has published a specimen from the more northern portions of North America under the name Lataxina Mollis ; and a specimen which we obtained in Carolina, and presented to our friend Mr. Waterhouse of London, was, we believe, published by him under another name.

Notwithstanding these high authorities, we confess we have not been able to regard them in any other light than varieties, some more strongly marked than others, of the same species. The L. Lataxina of Fr. Cuvier, and the specimen published by Waterhouse, do not present such distinctive characters as to justify us in separating the species from each other or from L. Canadensis, The specimen published by Richard.son under the name

12

CANADA OTTER.

of L. Canadensis, (Fauna Boreali Americana,) was that of a large animal; and the Mollis of Gray was, we think, a fine specimen of the Canada Otter, with fur of a particular softness. We have, after much deliberation, come to the conclusion that all these must be regarded as varieties of one species. In dentition, in general form, in markings and in habits, they are very similar. The specimen from Texas, on account of its lighter colour and somewhat coarser fur, differs most from the other varieties ; but it does not on the whole present greater differences than are often seen in the common mink of the salt marshes of Carolina, when compared with speci- mens obtained from the streams and ponds in the interior of the Middle States. Indeed, in colour it much resembles the rusty brown of the Caro- lina mink. In the many specimens we have examined, we have disco- vered shades of difference in colour as well as in the pelage among indivi- duals obtained from the same neighbourhood. In many individuals which were obtained from the South and North, in localities removed a thousand miles from each other, we could not discover that they were even varieties. In other cases these differences maybe accounted for from the known effects of climate on other nearly allied species, as evidenced in the common mink. On the whole we may observe, that the Otters of the North are of a darker colour and have the fur longer and more dense than those of the South. As we proceed southward the hair gradually becomes a little lighter in colour and the fur less dense, shorter, and coarser. These changes, however, are not peculiar to the Otter. They are not only observed in the mink, but in the raccoon, the common American rabbit, the Virginian deer, and nearly all the species that exist both in the northern and southern portions of our continent.

We shall give a figure of L. Mollis of Gray, in our third volume.

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VULPES VELOX.— Say.

Swift Fox. Kit Fox.

PLATE LII.— Male.

V. gracilis, supra cano fulvaque varices, infra albus ; v. fulvo minor.

CHARACTERS.

Smaller than the American red fox, body slender, gray above, varied with fulvous; beneath, white.

SYNONYMES.

Kit Fox, or small burrowing fox of the plains. Lewis and Clark, vol. i., p. 400.

Vol. iii., pp. 28. 29.

Canis Velox, Say. Long’s Expedition, vol. ii., p. 339.

“ “ Harlan’s Fauna, 91.

“ “ Godman’s Nat. Hist., vol. i., p. 282.

Canis Cinereo Argentatus, Sabine, Franklin’s Journey, p. 658.

“ (vulpes) Cinereo Argentatus, Richardson, Fa. B. Ame. p. 98.

DESCRIPTION.

This little species of Fox bears a great resemblance to our American red fox, in shape, but has a broader face and shorter nose than the latter species ; in colour it approaches nearer to the gray fox. Its form is light and slender, and gives indication of a considerable capacity for speed ; the tail is long, cylindrical, bushy, and tapering at the end.

The entire length from the insertion of the superior incisors to the tip of the occipital crest, is rather more than four inches and three-tenths : the least distance bet-ween the orbital cavities nine-tenths of an inch ; between the insertion of the lateral muscles at the junction of the frontal and pa- rietal bones, half an inch. The greatest breadth of this space on the parietal bones, thirteen-twentieths of an inch.” — (Say.) The hair is of two kinds, a soft dense and rather woolly fur beneath, intermixed with longer and stronger hairs.

COLOUR.

The fur on the back, when the hairs are separately examined, is from

14

SWIFT FOX.

the roots, for three-fourths of its length, of a light brownish gray colour, then yellowish brown, then a narrow ring of black, then a larger ring of pure white, slightly tipped at the apical part with black. The upper part of the nose is pale yellowish brown, on each side of which there is a patch of brownish, giving it a hoary appearance in consequence of some of the hairs being tipped with white ; moustaches black ; upper lip margined by a stripe of white hairs. There is a narrow blackish brown line between the white of the posterior angle of the mouth, which is prolonged around the margin of the lower lip. The upper part of the head, the orbits of the eyes, the cheeks and superior surface of the neck, back, and hips, covered with intermixed hairs, tipped with brown, black, and white, giving those parts a grizzled colour. Towards the pos- terior parts of the back there are many long hairs interspersed, that are black from the roots to the tip. The sides of the neck, the chest, the shoulders and flanks, are of a dull reddish orange colour ; the lower jaw is white, with a tinge of blackish brown on its margins ; the throat, belly, inner surface of legs, aad upper surface of feet, are white. The outside of the forelegs, and the posterior parts of the hindlegs, are brown- ish orange. The slight hairs between the callosities of the toes are brownish. The tail is on the under surface yellowish gray with a mix- ture of black, and a few white hairs ; the under surface is brownish yellow and black at the end.

DIMENSIONS.

Feet. Inches.

From point of nose to root of tail.

Tail, (vertebrae,) . - . -

“ to end of hair, . - - -

From tip of nose to end of head.

Between the eyes, . . - .

Breadth between the ears, - - -

Weight lbs.

Measurement of a young animal killed at Fort Union.

From point of nose to root of tail.	1	Oi
Tail, (vertebrae,) . . - .	0	4|
“ to end of hair, - - - -	0
Width at the shoulders.	0
Length of head, . . . -	0
Between the eyes, ...	0
Breadth between the ears, -	0

1 8

0 9f

1 0

0 2i

0 If

0 2|

SWIFT FOX.

15

HABITS.

The First Swift Fox we ever saw alive was at Fort Clark on the upper Missouri river, at which place we arrived on the 7th of June, 1843. It had been caught in a steel-trap by one of its fore-feet, and belonged to Mr. Chardon, the principal at the Fort, who with great kindness and politeness presented it to us ; assuring us that good care would be taken of it during our absence, (as we were then ascending the river to proceed to the base of the Rocky Mountains,) and that on our return to the Mandan village, we might easily take it with us to New- York.

Mr. Charuon informed us that this Fox was a most expei’t rat catcher, and that it had been kept in a loft without any other food than the rats and mice that it caught there. It was a beautiful animal, and ran with great rapidity from one side of the loft to another, to avoid us. On our approaching, it showed its teeth and growled much like the common red fox.

Soon after we left Fort Clark, between the western shore of the Mis- souri river and the hills called the “ Trois mamelles ” by the Canadian and French trappers, on an open prairie, we saw the second Swift Fox we met with on this journey. Our party had been shooting several buffaloes, and our friend Ed. Harris, Esq., and ourself, were approaching the hunters apace. We were on foot, and Mr. Harris was mounted on his buffalo horse, when a Swift Fox darted from a concealed hole in the prairie almost under the hoofs of my friend’s steed. My gun was unfortunately loaded with ball, but the Fox was chased by Mr. Harris, who took aim at it seve- ral times but could not draw sight on the animal ; and the cunning fellow doubled and turned about and around in such a dexterous manner, that it finally escaped in a neighbouring ravine, and we suppose gained its bur- row, or sheltered itself in the cleft of a rock, as we did not see it start again. This slight adventure with this (so called) Swift Fox convinced us that the accounts of the wonderful speed of this animal are considerably exagge- rated ; and were we not disposed to retain its name as given by Mr. Say, we should select that of Prairie Fox as being most appropriate for it. Mr. Harris, mounted on an Indian horse, had no difficulty in keeping up with it and overrunning it, which caused it to double as just mentioned. Had our guns been loaded with buck shot we should no doubt have killed it. It is necessary to say, perhaps, that all the authors who have written about this fox (most of whom appear to have copied Mr. Say’s account of it) as- sert that its extraordinary swiftness is one of the most remarkable charac- teristics of the animal. Godman observes that the fleetest antelope or deer,

16

SWIFT FOX.

when running at full speed, is passed by this little Fox with the greatest ease, and such is the celerity of its motion, that it is compared by the cele- brated travellei's above quoted, Lewis and Clark and Mr. Say, “ to the flight of a bird along the ground rather than the course of a quadruped.”

There is nothing in the conformation of this species, anatomically viewed, indicating extraordinary speed. On the contrary, when we com- pare it with the red fox or even the gray, we find its body and legs shorter in proportion than in those species, and its large head and bushy tail give it rather a more heavy appearance than either of the foxes just named.

Dr. Richardson informs us that the Saskachewan river is the most northern limit of the rr.nge of the Kit Fox. Its burrows he says are very deep and excavated in the open plains, at some distance from the woody country. Lewis and Clark describe it as being extremely vigi- lant, and say that it betakes itself on the slightest alarm to its burrow.

On our return to Fort Union after an excursion through a part of the adjacent country, we found at some distance from the stockade a young Swift Fox which we probably might easily have captured alive ,- but fearing that its burrow was near at hand, and that it would soon reach it and evade our pursuit, Mr. HARRis shot it. This was the last speci- men of this Fox that we were able to observe during our journey ; we have given its measurement in a former part of this article. On our re- turn voyage, we found on arriving at Fort Clark that the living Swift Fox given us by Mr. Chardon was in excellent condition. It was placed in a strong wooden box lined in part with tin, and for greater security against its escape, had a chain fastened to a collar around its neck. During our homeward journey it was fed on birds, squirrels, and the flesh of other animals, and finally safely reached our residence, near New-York, where it was placed in a large cage box two-thirds sunk beneath the surface of the ground, completely tinned inside, and half filled with earth. When thus allowed a comparatively large space and plenty of earth to burrow in, the Fox immediately began to make his way into the loose ground, and soon had dug a hole large enough to conceal himself entirely. While in this commodious prison he fed regularly and ate any kind of fresh meat, growing fatter every day. He drank more water than foxes gene- rally do, seemed anxious to play or wash in the cup which held his supply, and would frequently turn it over, spilling the water on the floor of the cage.

The cross fox which we described in our first volume does not appear to require water, during the winter months at least, when fed on fresh meat ; as one that we have had in confinement during the past winter would not

SWIFT FOX.

17

drink any, and was not supplied with it for two or three months. Proba- bly in a wild state all predatory animals drink more than when in con- finement, for they are compelled to take so much exercise in the pursuit of their prey, that the evaporation of fluids, by perspiration, must go on rapidly ; besides which, they would probably often try to appease the cravings of hunger by drinking freely, when unable to procure sufficient food.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

The Swift Fox appears to be found on the plains of the Columbia river valley, as well as the open country of the region in which it has generally been observed, the extensive prairies of the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains.

It does not appear to be an inhabitant of New Mexico, Texas or Cali- fornia, as far as our information on the subject extends.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Our esteemed friend. Sir John Richardson, (Fauna Boreali Americana, p. 98,) has supposed that Schreber’s description of Canis cinereo argen- tatu», applied to this species, and hence adopted his specific name, to the exclusion of Say’s name of C. Velox. In our first volume, (p. 172,) we explained our views on this subject. In the descriptions of C. Virginianus of Schreber, and C. Argenteus, Erx., they evidently described mere varie- ties of the gray fox, (F. Virginianus) ; we have consequently restored Say’s specific name, and awarded to him the credit of having been the first scientific describer of this animal.

VOL.

II,

3.

18

MEPHITIS MESOLEUCA.— Light.

Texan Skunk.

PLATE LIII.—Male.

M. Vitta solitaria media antice (in vertice) rotundata, acque lata ad basin caudae usque continuata, hac tota alba.

CHARACTERS.

The whole hack, from the forehead to the tail, and the tail, white ; nose not covered with hair.

SYNONYMES.

Mephitis Mesoleuca, Lichtenstein. Darstellung neuer oder wenig bekannter Sau- gethiere. Berlin, 182Y, 1834. Tab. 44, Fig. 2.

Mephitis Nasuta, Bennett. Proceedings of the Zoological Society, 1833, p. 39.

M. Mesoleuca, Licht. Ueber die Gattung Mephitis. Berlin, 1838, p. 23.

description.

In form, this species bears a considerable resemblance to the common American skunk, {Mephitis chinga.) Like all the other species of skunk, this animal has a broad and fleshy body ; it is wider at the hips than at the shoulders, and when walking, the head is carried near the ground, whilst the back is obliquely raised six or seven inches higher ; it stands low on its legs, and progresses rather slowly. Forehead, slightly rounded ; eyes, small ; ears, short and rounded ; hair, coarse and long ; under fur, sparse, woolly, and not very fine ; tail, of moderate length and bushy ; nose, for three-fourths of an inch above the snout, naked. This is a char- acteristic mark, by which it may always be distinguished from the common American skunk, the latter being covered with short hair to the snout. Palms naked.

COLOUR.

The whole of the long hair, including the under fur on the back, and the tail on both surfaces, is white. This broad stripe commences on the fore- head about two inches from the point of the nose, running near the ears,

Plate Llll

Brawn Irani Nature tyJ.J.Andabon.FRS EL S

fit » *i*>n

‘l4 ^ .

. \ 1 k.1 « ^

• , TT ■*

I *'. i

'.. *#**

	.V <M’
’ *tt-	*■ '4y^^	- HA
	, • > .. -'■		•'!,?
	• '	' >
art

i'. '>wiiij^'A' '■ ••Vt.-,

TEXAN SKUNK.

19

and in a straight line along the sides and over the haunches, taking in the whole of'the tail. The nails are white ; the whole of the under surface of the body black, with here and there a white hair interspersed. On the forefeet around the palms and on the edges of the under surface, there are coarse whitish hairs.

The peculiarities in the colour of this species appear to be very uniform, as the specimens we examined in the Berlin Museum and in the collection of the Zoological Society in London, corresponded precisely with the speci- men from which this description has been made.

DIMENSIONS.

From point of nose to root of tail.

Tail (vertebrae),

Do. to end of hair,

Breadth of head between the ears.

Height of ear,

Length of heel to longest claw, . - -

Breadth of white stripe on the middle of the back.

Weight, 5 lbs.

HABITS.

This odoriferous animal is found in Texas and Mexico, and is very sim- ilar in its habits to the common skunk of the Eastern, Middle and South- western States. A specimen procured by J. W. Audubon, who travelled through a portion of the State of Texas in 1845 and 6, for the purpose of obtaining a knowledge of the quadrupeds of that country, was caught alive in the neighbourhood of the San Jacinto ; it was secured to the pack saddle of one of his baggage mules, but managed in some way to escape during the day’s march, and as the scent was still strong on the saddle, it was not missed until the party arrived at the rancho of Mr. McFadden, who kept a house of entertainment for man and beast, which by this time was greatly needed by the travellers.

The almost endless varieties of the Mephitis chinga, the common skunk, many of which have been described as distinct species by naturalists, have, from our knowledge of their curious yet not specific differences, led us to admit any new species with doubt ; but from the peculiar characteristics of this animal, there can be no hesitation in awarding to Prof. Lichtenstein the honour of having given to the world the first knowledge of this inter- esting quadruped.

The Mephitis Mesoleuca is found on the brown, broomy, sedgy plains, as

Ft. Inches.

1

0 7

0 11 0 3

0 0r\

0 2^

0 5

20

TEXAN SKUNK.

well as in the woods, and the cultivated districts of Texas and Mexico. Its food consists in part of grubs, beetles, and other insects, and occa- sionally a small quadruped or bird, the eggs of birds, and in fact every- thing which this carnivorous but timid animal can appropriate to its sustenance.

The retreats of this Skunk are hollows in the roots of trees or fallen trunks, cavities under rocks, &c. ; and it is, like the northern species, easily caught when seen, (if any one has the resolution to venture on the experi- ment,) as it will not endeavour to escape unless it be very near its hiding place, in which case it will avoid its pursuer by retreating into its burrow, and there remaining for some time motionless, if not annoyed by a dog, or by digging after it.

The stomach of the specimen Ifom which our drawing was made, con- tained a number of worms, in some degree resembling the tape worm at times found in the human subject. Notwithstanding this circumstance, the individual appeared to be healthy and was fat. The rainy season having set in (or at least the weather being invariably stormy for some time) after it was killed, it became necessary to dry its skin in a chimney. When first taken, the white streak along the back was as pure and free from any stain or tinge of darkness or soiled colour as new fallen snow. The two glands containing the fetid matter, discharged from time to time by the animal for its defence, somewhat resembled in appearance a soft egg.

This species apparently takes the place of the common American skunk, {Mephitis chinga,) in the vicinity of the ranchos and plantations of the Mexicans, and is quite as destructive to poultry, eggs, &c., as its northern relative. We have not ascertained anything about its season of breeding, or the time the female goes with young ; we have no doubt, however, that in these characteristics it resembles the other and closely allied species.

The long and beautiful tail of this Skunk makes it conspicuous among the thickets or in the musquit bushes of Texas, and it most frequently keeps this part elevated so that in high grass or weeds it is first seen by the hunters who may be looking for the animal in such places.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

The Mephitis Mesoleuca is not met with in any portion of the United States eastward and northward of Texas. It is found in the latter State and in most parts of Mexico. We have, however, not seen any skunk from South America which corresponds with it.

TEXAN SKUNK.

21

GENERAL REMARKS.

Naturalists have been somewhat at a loss to decide on the name by which this species should be designated, and to what author the credit is due of having been the first describer.

The specimens obtained by Lichtenstein were procured by Mr. Deppe, in the vicinity of Chico, in Mexico, in 1825, and deposited in the museum of Berlin. In occasional papers published by Dr. Lichtenstein, from 1827 to 1834, this species with many others was first published. In 1833, Ben- nett published in the proceedings of the Zoological Society, the same spe- cies under the name of M. Nasuta. The papers of Lichtenstein, although printed and circulated at Berlin, were not reprinted and collected into a volume till 1834. Having seen the original papers as well as the speci- mens at Berlin, and being satisfied of their earlier publication, we have no hesitation in adopting the name of Lichtenstein as the first describer and publisher.

22

MUS DECUMANUS.— Pall.

Brown or Norway Rat.

PLATE LIV. — ^Males, Female, and Young.

Mus, cauda longissima squamata, corpore setoso griseo, subtus albido.

CHARACTERS.

Grayish-brown above, dull white beneath, tail nearly as long as the body, feet not webbed ; of a dingy white colour.

SYNONYMES.

Mus Decumanus, Pallas, Glir., p. 91-40.

“ “ Schreber, Saugthiere, p. 646.

“ “ Linn., Syst. Nat. ed. Gmel., t. p. 127.

Mus Aquaticus, Gesner’s Quadr., p. 732.

Mus Decumanus, Shaw’s Genl. Zool., ii., p. 50 t. 130.

SuRMULAT, ButF., Hist. Nat. viii., p. 206 t. 27.

Mus Decumanus, Cuv., Regne Animal, 1, p. 197.

“ “ Godman, vol. ii., p. 78.

“ “ Dekay, p. 79.

Mus Americanus, Dekay, American Black Rat, p. 81.

description.

Body, robust ; head, long ; muzzle, long, but less acute than that of the black rat ; eyes, large and prominent ; moustaches, long, reaching to the ears ; ears, rounded and nearly naked ; tail, generally a little shorter than the body, (although occasionally a specimen may be found where it is of equal length,) slightly covered with short rigid hairs. There are four toes on each of the fore-feet, with a scarcely visible rudimental thumb, protected by a small blunt nail ; five toes on each of the hind feet ; the feet are clothed with short adpressed hairs. The fur seldom lies smooth, and the animal has a rough and not an inviting appearance.

COLOUR.

Outer surface of the incisors, reddish-brown ; moustaches, white and black ; the former colour preponderating ; the few short scattered hairs along the outer edges of the ear, yellowish brown ; eyes, black ; hair on

Plate LT\.

A-U ■ } ■

BROWN OR NORWAY RAT.

23

the back, from the roots, bluish-gray, then reddish-brown, broadly tipped with dark brown and black. On the under surface, the softer and shorter hair is from the roots ashy-gray broadly tipped with white.

VARIETIES.

1st. We have on several occasions, through the kindness of friends, re- ceived specimens of white rats which were supposed to be new species. They proved to be albinos of the present species. Their colour was white throughout, presenting the usual characteristics of the albino, with red eyes. One of this variety was preserved for many months in a cage with the brown rat, producing young, that in this instance all proved to be brown.

2d. We have at different times been able to procure specimens of a sin- gular variety of this species that seems to have originated in this country. For the first specimen we were indebted to our friend Dr. Samuel Wilson of Charleston. Two others were sent to us from the interior of South Carolina. One was presented to us by a cat, and another was caught in a trap. In form, in size, and in dentition, they are precisely like the brown rat. The colour, however, is on both surfaces quite black. In some spe- cimens there is under the chest and on the abdomen, a longitudinal white stripe similar to those of the mink. The specimens, after being preserved for a year or two, lose their intense black colour, which gradually qssumes a more brownish hue. We examined a nest of the common brown rat containing 8 young, 5 of which were of the usual colour, and 3 black. The specimen obtained by Mr. Bell of New- York and published by Dr. Dekay, New- York Fauna, p. 81, under the name of Mus Americanus, undoubtedly belonged to this variety, which appears to have of late years become more common in the Southern than in the Northern States. This is evidently not a hybrid produced between Mus Decumanus and Mus Rattus, as those we have seen present the shape and size of the former, only differing in colour.

DIMENSIONS.

Inches.

From point of nose to root of tail, - - - - 10

Tail, 9

From point of nose to ear, 2|

Height of ear, s

24

BROWN OR NORWAY RAT.

HABITS.

The brown rat is unfortunately but too well known almost in every portion of our country, and in fact throughout the world, to require an elaborate account of its habits, but we will give such particulars as may we hope be interesting. It is one of the most prolific and destructive little quadrupeds about the residences of man, and is as fierce as voracious. Some cases are on record where this rat has attacked a man when he was asleep, and we have seen both adults and children who, by their wanting a piece of the ear, or a bit of the end of the nose, bore painful testimony to its having attacked them while they were in bed ; it has been known to nibble at an exposed toe or finger, and sometimes to have bitten even the remains of the shrouded dead who may have been exposed to its attacks.

The Norway Rat is very pugnacious, and several individuals may often be seen fighting together, squealing, biting, and indicting severe wounds on each other. On one occasion, we saw two of these rats in furious combat, and so enraged were they, that one of them whose tail was turned towards us, allowed us to seize him, which we did, giving him at the same time such a swing against a gate post which was near, that the blow killed him instantly — his antagonist making his escape.

During the great fioods or freshets which almost annually submerge the flat bottom-lands on the Ohio river at various places, the rats are driven out from their holes and seek shelter under the barns, stables, and houses in the vicinity, and as the increasing waters cover the low grounds, may be seen taking to pieces of drift wood and floating logs, &c., on which they sometimes remain driving along with the currents for some distance. They also at such times climb up into the lofts of barns, smokehouses, &c., or betake themselves to the trees in the orchards or gardens. We once, at Shippingport, near the foot of the falls of the Ohio river, whilst residing with our brother-in-law, the late N. Berthoud, went out in a skiff, during a freshet which had exceeded those of many previous years in its altitude, and after rowing about over the tops of fences that were secured from rising with the waters by being anchored by large cross-timbers placed when they were put up, under the ground, to which the posts were dove- tailed, and occasionally rowing through floating worm-fences which had broken away from their proper locations and were lying flat upon the sur- face of the flowing tide, we came to the orchard attached to the garden, and found the peach and apple trees full of rats, which seemed almost as active in running among the branches as squirrels. We had our gun with

BROWN OR NORWAY RAT.

25

US and tried to shoot some of them, but the cunning rogues dived into the water whenever we approached, and swam off in various directions, some to one tree and some to another, so that we were puzzled which to follow. The rats swam and dived with equal facility and made rapid progress through the water. Many of them remained in the orchard until the freshet subsided, which was in the course of a few days. Whether they caught any fish or not during this time we cannot say, but most of them found food enough to keep them alive until they were able once more to occupy their customary holes and burrows. During these occasional floods on our western rivers, immense numbers of spiders and other in- sects take refuge in the upper stories of the houses, and the inhabitants find themselves much incommoded by them as Well as by the turbulent waters around their dwellings. Such times are, however, quite holidays to the young folks, and skiffs and batteaux of every description are in re- quisition, while some go about on a couple of boards, or paddle from street to street on large square pine logs. When the flats are thus covered, there is generally but little current running on them, although the main channel of the river flows majestically onward, covered with floating logs and the fragments of sheds, haystacks, &c., which have left their quiet homes on the sides of the river many miles above, to float on a voyage of discov- ery down to the great Mississippi, unless stopped by the way by the exer- tions of some fortunate discoverer of their value, who rowing out among the drifting logs, roots and branches, ties a rope to the frail floating tene- ment, and tows it to the trunk of a tree, where he makes it fast, for the water to leave it ready for his service, when the river has again returned to its quiet and customary channel. Stray flat boats loaded with produce, flour, corn and tobacco, &c., are often thus taken up, and are generally found and claimed afterwards by their owners. The sight of the beautiful Ohio thus swelling proudly along, and sometimes embracing the country with its watery margin extended for miles beyond its ordinary limits, is well worth a trip to the West in February or March. But these high freshets do not occur every year, and depend on the melting of the snows, which are generally dissolved so gradually that the channel of the river is suffi- cient to carry them off.

In a former work, (Ornithological Biography, vol. 1, p. 155,) we have given a more detailed account of one of the booming floods of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, to which we beg now to refer such of our readers as have never witnessed one of those remarkable periodical inundations.

Mr. Ogden Hammond, formerly of Throg’s Neck, near New- York, furnished us with the following account of the mode in which the Norway Rat cap- tures and feeds upon the small sand clams which abound on the sandy VOL. II. — 4

26

BROWN OR NORWAY RAT.

places along the East river below high water mark. He repaired to a wharf on his farm with one of his men at low water : in a few moments a rat was seen issuing from the lower part of the wharf, peeping cautiously around before he ventured from his hiding place. Presently one of the small clams buried in the soft mud and sand which they inhabit, threw up a thin jet of water about a foot above the surface of the ground, upon seeing which, the rat leaped quickly to the spot, and digging with its fore- paws, in a few moments was seen bringing the clam towards his retreat, where he immediately devoured it.

When any of these clams lie too deep to be dug up by the rats, they con- tinue on the watch and dig after the next which may make known its whereabouts by the customary jet of water. These clams are about | of an inch long and not more than | of an inch wide ; their shells are slight, and they are sometimes used as bait by fishermen.

The Brown or Norway Rat was first introduced in the neighbourhood of Henderson, Kentucky, our old and happy residence for several years, with- in our recollection.

One day a barge arrived from New-Orleans (we think in 1811) loaded with sugar and other goods ; some of the cargo belonged to us. During the landing of the packages we saw several of these rats make their escape from the vessel to the shore, and run off in different directions. In a year from this time they had become quite a nuisance ; whether they had been re- inforced by other importations, or had multiplied to an incredible extent, we know not. Shortly after this period we had our smokehouse ffoor taken up on account of their having burrowed under it in nearly every direction. We killed at that time a great many of them with the aid of our dogs, but they continued to annoy us, and the readers of our Ornithological Biography are aware, that ere we left Henderson some rats destroyed many of our valued drawings.

This species migrates either in troops or singly, and for this purpose takes passage in any conveyance that maj’ offer, or it plods along on foot. It swims and dives well, as we have already remarked, so that rivers or water-courses do not obstruct its progress. We once knew a female to secrete herself in a wagon, loaded with bale rope, sent from Lexington, (Ky.) to Louisville, and on the wagon reaching its destination, when the coils of rope were turned out, it was discovered that the animal had a lit- ter of several young ones : she darted into the warehouse through the iron bars which were placed like a grating in front of the cellar windows. Some of the young escaped also, but several of them were killed by the wagoner. How this rat was fed during the journey we do not know, but as the wagons

BROWN OR NORWAY RAT. 27

stop every evening at some tavern, the probability is that she procured food for herself by getting out during the night and picking up corn, &c.

The Norway Rat frequently deserts a locality in which it has for some time remained and proved a great pest. When this is the case, the whole tribe journey to other quarters, keeping together and generally appearing in numbers in their new locality without any previous warning to the un- lucky farmer or housekeeper to whose premises they have taken a fancy.

When we first moved to our retreat, nine miles above the city of New- York, we had no rats to annoy us, and we hoped it would be some time be- fore they discovered the spot where we had located ourselves. But in the course of a few months a great many of them appeared, and we have occasionally had eggs, chickens and ducklings carried off by them to the number of six or more in a night. We have never been able to get rid of this colony of rats, and they have even made large burrows in the banks on the water side, where they can hardly be extirpated.

The Norway Rat is quite abundant in New- York and most other mari- time cities, along the wharves and docks, and becomes very large. These animals are frequently destroyed in great numbers, while a ship is in port, after her cargo has been discharged, by smoking them ; the fumes of sul- phur and other suffocating materials, being confined to the hold by closing all parts, windows and hatches. After a thorough cleaning out, a large ship has been known to have had many thousands on board. Our old friend, Capt. Cumings, who in early life made many voyages to the East Indies, relates to us, that one of his captains used to have rats caught, when on long voyages, and had them cooked and served up at his table as a luxury. He allowed his sailors a glass of grog for every rat they caught, and as the supply was generally ample, he used to invite his mates and passengers to partake of them with due hospitality. Our friend, who was a mate, had a great horror of the captain’s invitations, for it was some- times difficult to ascertain in what form the delicate animals would appear, and to avoid eating them. Not having ourselves eaten rats, (as far as we know,) we cannot say whether the old India captain’s fondness for them was justified by their possessing a fine flavour, but we do think prejudices are entertained against many animals and reptiles that are, after all, pretty good eating.

In the account of the black rat in our first volume, {Musrattus) pp. 190, 191, and 192, we gave some details of the habits of the present species, and stated our opinion in regard to its destroying the black rat. Dr. God- man considered the Norway Rat so thorough an enemy of the black rat, that he says, (vol. 2, p. 83,) in speaking of the latter, that it is now found only in situations to which the Brown Rat has not extended its migrations.

28

BROWN OR NORWAY RAT.

According to the same author, who quotes R. Smith, Rat Catcher, p. 5, 1768, (see Godman, vol. 2, p. 77,) the Brown Rat was not known even in Europe prior to the year 1750. Richardson says, (probably quoting from Harlan, Fauna, p. 149,) that it was brought from Asia to Europe, according to the accounts of historians of the seventeenth century, and was unknown in Eng- land before 1730. Pennant, writing in 1785, says he has no authority for con- sidering it an inhabitant of the new continent (America). Harlan states that the Norwegian rat did not, as he was credibly informed, make its appearance in the United States any length of time previous to the year 1775. Harlan does not give the Brown Rat as an American species, giving only what he considered indigenous species.

The Brown Rat brings forth from 10 to 15 young at a litter, and breeds several times in a year. Fortunately for mankind, it has many enemies : weasels, skunks, owls, hawks, &c., as well as cats and dogs. We have never known the latter to eat them, but they may at times do so. Rats are also killed by each other, and the weak ones devoured by the stronger.

This species becomes very fat and clumsy when living a long time in mills or warehouses. We have often seen old ones so fat and inactive that they would fall back when attempting to ascend a staircase.

We will take our leave of this disagreeable pest, by saying, that it is omnivorous, devouring with equal voracity meat of all kinds, eggs, poul- try, fish, reptiles, vegetables, &c. &c. It prefers eels to other kinds of fish, having been known to select an eel out of a large bucket of fresh fish, and drag it off to its hole. In vegetable gardens it devours melons, cu- eumbers, &c., and will eat into a melon, entering through a hole large enough to admit its body, consuming the tender sweet fruit, seeds and all, and leaving the rind almost perfect. Where rats have gained access to a field or vegetable garden, they generally dig holes near the fruits or vegetables, into which they can make an easy retreat at the ap- proach of an enemy.

We have represented several of these rats in our plate about to devour muskmelons, for which they have a strong predilection.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

The Mus Decumanus is found in all the temperate parts of the world where man has been able to carry it in ships. It has not as yet penetrat- ed into the fur countries, to the Rocky Mountains and California. The Neotoma Drummondi would probably be able to destroy it, being quite as fierce and much larger, should its wanderings lead it into the territory occupied by the latter. The Brown or Norway Rat is met with almost

BROWN OR NORWAY RAT.

29

every where from Nova Scotia to and beyond our southern range, except in the western and northern regions above mentioned, and there even it will soon be found in California, at the mouth of the Columbia river, and among the settlements in Oregon.

GENERAL REMARKS.

We had assigned to Linnaeus the credit of having been the first describer of the Brown Rat. On turning however to his 12th edition, we find no notice of this species. In a subsequent edition published by Gmelin in 1778, a description is added. It had however been previously described by Pal- las in 1767 under the name which it still retains. He is therefore entitled to the priority.

80

SCrUKUS RUBICAUDATUS.— Aud. and Bach.

Red-Tailed SauiRREL.

PLATE LV.

S. supra sub rufus cano mistus, subtus sordide flavus, magnitudine inter s. cinereum et s. migratorium ; cauda auriculisque rufis.

CHARACTERS.

Intermediate in size between the cat squirrel (S. Cinereus) and the North- ern gray squirrel {S. Migratorius) ; ears and tail, red ; body, light-brown mixed with gray above, soiled buff beneath.

DESCRIPTION.

In form this species resembles the northern gray squirrel, possessing evidently all its activity ; its proportions are more delicate, and it weighs less, than the cat squirrel. It is considerably smaller than the great-tailed squirrel of Say, {S. Sayi). Although a little larger than the northern gray squirrel, its tail is shorter, and its fur a little coarser. The only specimen in which we were enabled to examine the dentition, had but twenty teeth ; the small front molars which appear to be permanent in the northern gray squirrel, and deciduous in several other species, were here entirely wanting.

COLOUR.

The fur on the back is in half its length from the roots, plumbeous, suc- ceeded by a narrow marking of light brown, then black, tipped with whitish, a few interspersed hairs are black at the apical portion ; on the under surface the hairs are yellowish- white at the roots, and reddish-buff at the tips. The long hairs on the under surface of the tail are red through their whole extent. On the upper surface of the tail the hairs are reddish with three black annulations, tipped with red. Moustaches, black ; ears, around the eye, sides of face, throat and neck, inner surface of legs, upper surface of feet and belly, dull buff ; tail, rufous.

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Draw from Nature byJ J . Auduboti.FR S EL S

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31

RED-TAILED SQUIRREL.

DIMENSIONS.

' Inches

Length, from point of nose to root of tail, - - 13

Do. vertebrae, 10

Do. to end of hair, 12^

Height of ear, - -- -- -- -

Heel to end of longest nail, ----- 2f

HABITS.

We have obtained no information in regard to the habits of this species, but have no doubt it possesses all the sprightliness and activity of other squirrels, particularly the Northern gray and cat squirrels, as well as the great tailed squirrel, to which in form and size it is allied.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

The specimen from which our drawing was made, was procured in the State of Illinois. This squirrel is also found in the barrens of Kentucky : we possess a skin sent to us by our good friend Dr. Croghan, procured we believe near the celebrated Mammoth cave, of which he is proprietor.

Mr. Cabot, of Boston, likewise has one, as well as we can recollect, in his collection. We sought in vain, while on our journey in the wilds of the Upper Missouri country, for this species, which apparently does not extend its range west of the well- wooded districts lying to the east of the great prairies. It will probably be found abundant in Indiana, although it has been hitherto most frequently observed in Illinois. Of its northern and southern limits, we know nothing, and it may have a much more extended distribution than is at present supposed.

32

GENUS BISON.— Pliny.

DENTAL FORMULA.

T • • ** ®

Incisive - ; Canine — ; Molar — =32.

8 0—0 6—6

Head, large and broad ; forehead, slightly arched ; horns, placed before the salient line of the frontal crest ; tail, short ; shoulders, elevated ; hair, soft and woolly.

The generic name is derived from Pliny, who applied the word Bison, wild ox, to one of the species on the Eastern continent.

There are five species of Buffalo that may be conveniently arranged under this genus : one existing in the forests of Southern Russia in Asia, in the Circassian mountains, and the desert of Kobi ; one in Ethiopia and the forests of India, one on the mountains of Central Asia, one in Ceylon, and one in America. In addition to this, the genus Bos, which formerly included the present, contains five well determined species, one inhabiting the country near the Cape of Good Hope, one in Central Africa, one in the Himalaya mountains and the Birman Empire, one in India, and one in the forests of Middle Europe.

BISON AMEKICANUS.— Gmel.

American Bison. — Buffalo.

PLATE LVI. Male.

PLATE LVII. Female, Male and Young.

B. capite magno, lato, fronte leviter arcuata ; cornibus parvis, brevi- bus, teretibus, extrorsum dein sursum versis ; cauda breve, cruribus gra- cilibus armis excelsis, villo molli, lanoso.

CHARACTERS.

Forehead, broad, slightly arched ; horns, small, short, directed laterally and upwards ; tail, short ; legs, slender ; shoulders, elevated • hair, soft and woolly.

Plate LVI

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BUFFALO.

SYNONYMES.

Taurus Mexicanus, Hernandez, Mex., p. 587, Fig. male, 1651.

Taureau Sauvage, Hennepin, Nouv. Discov., vol. i., p. 186, 1699.

The Buffalo, Lawson’s Carolina, p. 115, Fig.

“ “ Catesby’s Carolina, Appendix xxxii., tab. 20.

“ “ Hearne’s Journey, p. 412.

“ “ Franklin’s First Voy., p. 113.

“ “ Pennant’s Arctic Zool., vol. i., p. 1.

“ “ Long’s Expedition, vol. iii., p. 68.

“ “ Warden’s U. S., vol. i., p. 248.

Bos Americanus, Linn., S. N., ed Gmel. 1, p. 204.

“ “ Cuv., Regne an 1, p. 270.

Bos Americanus, Harlan, 268.

“ “ Godman, vol. iii., 4.

“ “ Richardson, Fa., p. 79.

Buffalo, Hudson’s Bay Traders, Le Boeuf, Canadian Voyagers.

American Ox, Dobs, Hudson’s Bay, 41.

DESCRIPTION.

Male, killed on the Yellow Stone river, July 16th, 1843.

The form bears a considerable resemblance to that of an overgrown do- mestic bull, the top of the hump on the shoulders being considerably higher than the rump, although the fore-legs are very short ; horns, short, stout, curved upward and inward, one foot one inch and a half around the curve ; ears, short and slightly triangular towards the point ; nose, bare •, nostrils, covered internally with hairs ; eyes, rather small in proportion to the size of the animal, sunk into the prominent projection of the skull ; neck, and forehead to near the nose, covered with a dense mass of shaggy hair fourteen inches long between the horns, which, as well as the eyes and ears, are thereby partially concealed ; these hairs become gradually shorter and more woolly towards the muzzle. Under the chin and lower jaw there is an immense beard, a foot or upwards in length.

Neck, short ; hairs along the shoulder and fore-legs about four inches long. The beard around the muzzle resembles that of the common bull. A mass of hair rises on the hind part of the fore-leg, considerably below the knee. A ridge of hairs commences on the back and runs to a point near the in- sertion of the tail. On the flanks, rump and fore-legs the hairs are very short and fine.

On the hind-legs there are straggling long hairs extending to the knee, and a few tufts extending six inches below the knee ; hind-legs, and tail, covered with short hairs; within a few inches of the tip of the tail there is a tuft of hair nearly a foot in length. The pelage on the head VOL II. — 5

84

BUFFALO.

has scarcely any of the soft woolly hair which covers other parts of the body, and approaches nearer to hair than to wool.

A winter killed specimen.

From the neck, around the shoulder and sides, the body is covered with a dense heavy coat of woolly hair, with much longer and coarser hairs in- termixed. There is a fleshy membrane between the forelegs, like that in the common domestic bull, but not so pendulous.

Female.

In form and colour the female bears a strong resemblance to the male ; she is, however, considerably smaller, and of a more delicate structure. Her horns are of the same length and shape as those of the male, but are thinner and more perfect, in consequence of the cows engaging less in combat than the bulls. The hump is less elevated ; the hair on the fore- head shorter and less bushy ; the rings on the horns are more corrugated than on those of our domestic cattle.

Spinous processes rising from the back bone or vertebrae of the bull, and forming the hump : they are flat, with sharp edges both anteriorly and posteriorly ; the two longest are eighteen and a quarter inches long, three inches at the end which is the widest, and two inches at the narrowest ; the first, fifteen inches ; second, (largest,) eighteen and a quar- ter inches in length ; third, sixteen and a half ; fourth, sixteen ; the fifth, fif- teen inches, and the rest gradually diminishing in size ; the fifteenth spinous process being three and a half inches long; the remainder are wanting in our specimen. The whole of the processes are placed almost touching each other at the insertion and at the end, and their breadth is parallel to the course of the back-bone. In the centre or about half the distance from the insertion to the outer end of them, they are (the bone being narrower in that part) from a quarter to one inch apart. The ribs originate and in- cline outward backward and downward from between these upright spinous bones.

COLOUR.

A summer specimen.

Head, neck, throat, fore-legs, tail and beard, dark brownish-black ; hoofs, brown ; rump, fianks, line on the back, blackish brown ; horns nearly black. Upper surface of body light-brown ; the hairs uniform in colour from the roots, the whole under surface blackish-brown.

The colour of the female is similar to that of the male.

At the close of the summer when the new coat of hair has been obtained,

BUFFALO. 35

the Buffalo is in colour between a dark umber, and liver-shining brown ; as the hair lengthens during winter, the tips become paler.

Young male, twelve months old.

dingy brown colour, with a dark brown stripe of twisted woolly upright hairs, extending from the head over the neck shoulders and back to the insertion of the tail. The hairs on the forehead, which form the enormous mass on the head of the adult, are just beginning to be deve- loped.

Under the throat and along the chest the hairs extend in a narrow line of about three inches in length ; the bush at the end of the tail is tolerably well developed. Hairs on the whole body short and woolly.

A calf, six weeks old, presents the same general appearance, but is more woolly. The legs, especially near the hoofs, are of a lighter colour than the adult.

A calf taken from the body of a cow, in September, was covered with woolly hair ; the uniform brownish, or dim yellow, strongly resembling the young of a domesticated cow.

HABITS.

Whether we consider this noble animal as an object of the chase, or as an article of food for man, it is decidedly the most important of all our con- temp orary American quadrupeds ; and as we can no longer see the gi- gantic mastodon passing over the broad savannas, or laving his enormous sides in the deep rivers of our wide-spread land, we will consider the Buffalo as a link, (perhaps sooner to be forever lost than is generally sup- posed,) which to a slight degree yet connects us with larger American ani- mals, belonging to extinct creations.

But ere we endeavour to place before you the living and breathing herds of Buffaloes, you must journey with us in imagination to the vast west- ern prairies, the secluded and almost inaccessible valleys of the Rocky Mountain chain, and the arid and nearly impassable deserts of the western table lands of our country ; and here we may be allowed to express our deep, though unavailing regret, that the world now contains only few and imperfect remains of the lost races, of which we have our sole knowledge through the researches and profound deductions of geologists ; and even though our knowledge of the osteology of the more recently exterminated species be sufficient to place them before our “ mind’s eye,” we have no de- scription and no figures of the once living and moving, but now de- parted possessors of these woods, plains, mountains and waters, in which,

36

BUFFALO.

ages ago, they are supposed to have dwelt. Let us however hope, that our hximble efforts may at least enable us to perpetuate a knowledge of such species as the Giver of all good has allowed to remain with us to the pre- sent day. And now we will endeavour to give a good account of the ma- jestic Bison.

In the days of our boyhood and youth. Buffaloes roamed over the small and beautiful prairies of Indiana and Illinois, and herds of them stalked through the open woods of Kentucky and Tennessee ; but they had dwindled down to a few stragglers, which resorted chiefly to the “ Barrens,” to- wards the years 1808 and 1809, and soon after entirely disappeared. Their range has since that period gradually tended westward, and now you must direct your steps “ to the Indian country,” and travel many hundred miles beyond the fair valleys of the Ohio, towards the great rocky chain of mountains which forms the backbone of North- America, before you can reach the Buffalo, and see him roving in his sturdy independence upon the vast elevated plains, which extend to the base of the Rocky Mountains.

Hie with us then to the West ! let us quit the busy streets of St. Louis, once considered the outpost of civilization, but now a flourishing city, in the midst of a fertile and rapidly growing country, with towns and villages scattered for hundreds of miles beyond it; let us leave the busy haunts of men, and on good horses take the course that will lead us into the Buffalo region, and when we have arrived at the sterile and extended plains which we desire to reach, we shall be recompensed for our toilsome and tedious journey : for there we may find thousands of these noble animals, and be enabled to study their habits, as they graze and ramble over the prairies, or migrate from one range of country to another, crossing on their route water-courses, or swimming rivers at places where they often plunge from the muddy bank into the stream, to gain a sand-bar or shoal, midway in the river, that affords them a resting place, from which, after a little time, they can direct their course to the opposite shore, when, having reached it, they must scramble up the bank, ere they can gain the open prairie beyond.

There we may also witness severe combats between the valiant bulls, in the rutting season, hear their angry bellowing, and observe their saga- city, as well as courage, when disturbed by the approach of man.

The American Bison is much addicted to wandering, and the various herds annually remove from the North, at the approach of winter, although many may be found, during that season, remaining in high latitudes, their thick woolly coats enabling them to resist a low temperature, without suf- fering greatly. During a severe winter, however, numbers of them perish, especially the old, and the very young ones. The breeding season is gen-

BUFFALO.

37

erally the months of June and July, and the calves are brought forth in April and May ; although occasionally they are produced as early as March or as late as July. The Buffalo most frequentlj'^ has but one calf at a time, but instances occur of their having two. The females usually re- tire from the herd either singly or several in company, select as solitary a spot as can be found, remote from the haunt of wolves, bears, or other enemies that would be most likely to molest them, and there produce their young.

Occasionally, however, they bring forth their offspring when the herd is migrating, and at such times they are left by the main body, which they rejoin as soon as possible. The young usually follow the mother until she is nearly ready to have a calf again. The Buffalo seldom produces young until the third year, but will continue breeding until very old. When a cow and her very young calf are attacked by wolves, the cow bellows and sometimes runs at the enemy, and not unfrequently frightens him away ; this, however, is more generally the case when several cows are together, as the wolf, ever on the watch, is sometimes able to secure a calf when it is only protected by its mother.

The Buffalo begins to shed its hair as early as February. This falling of the winter coat shows first between the fore-legs and around the udder in the female on the inner surface of the thighs, &c. Next, the entire pelage of long hairs drop gradually but irregularly, leaving almost naked patches in some places, whilst other portions are covered with loosely hanging wool and hair. At this period these animals have an extremely ragged and miserable appearance. The last part of the shedding process takes place on the hump. During the time of shedding, the Bison searches for trees, bushes, &c., against which to rub himself, and thereby facilitate the speedy falling off of his old hair. It is not until the end of September, or later, that he gains his new coat of hair. The skin of a Buffalo, killed in October, the hunters generally consider, makes a good Buffalo robe ; and who is there, that has driven in an open sleigh or wagon, that will not be ready to admit this covering to be the cheapest and the best, as a protection from the cold, rain, sleet, and the drifting snows of winter ? for it is not only a warm covering, but impervious to water.

The Bison bulls generally select a mate from among a herd of cows and do not leave their chosen one until she is about to calve.

When two or more males fancy the same female, furious battles ensue and the conqueror leads off the fair cause of the contest in triumph. Should the cow be alone, the defeated lovers follow the happy pair at such a re- spectful distance, as will ensure to them a chance to make their escape, if they should again become obnoxious to the victor, and at the same time

38

BUFFALO.

enable them to take advantage of any accident that might happen in their favour. But should the fight have been caused by a female Avho is in a large herd of cows, the discomfited bull soon finds a substitute for his first passion. It frequently happens, that a bull leads off a cow, and remains with her separated during the season from all others, either male or female.

When the Buffalo bull is working himself up to a belligerent state, he paws the ground, bellows loudly, and goes through nearly all the actions we may see performed by the domesticated bull under similar circumstances, and finally rushes at his foe head foremost, wfith all his speed and strength. Notwithstanding the violent shock with which two bulls thus meet in mad career, these encounters have never been known to result fatally, probably owing to the strength of the spinous process commonly called the hump, the shortness of their horns, and the quan- tity of hair about all their fore-parts.

When congregated together in fair weather, calm or nearly so, the bellowing of a large herd (which sometimes contains a thousand) may be heard at the extraordinary distance of ten miles at least.

During the rutting season, or while fighting, (we are not sure which,) the bulls scrape or paw up the grass in a circle, sometimes ten feet in di- ameter, and these places being resorted to, from time to time, by other fighting bulls, become larger and deeper, and are easily recognised even after rains have filled them with water.

In winter, when the ice has become strong enough to bear the weight of many tons. Buffaloes are often drowned in great numbers, for they are in the habit of crossing rivers on the ice, and should any alarm occur, rush in a dense crowd to one place ; the ice gives way beneath the pressure of hundreds of these huge animals, they are precipitated into the water, and if it is deep enough to reach over their backs, soon perish. Should the water, however, be shallow, they scuffle through the broken and breaking ice, in the greatest disorder, to the shore.

From time to time small herds, crossing rivers on the ice in the spring, are set adrift, in consequence of the sudden breaking of the ice after a rise in the river. They have been seen ffoating on such occasions in groups of three, four, and sometimes eight or ten together, although on separate cakes of ice. A few stragglers have been known to reach the shore in an almost exhausted state, but the majority perish from cold and want of food rather than trust themselves boldly to the turbulent waters.

Buffalo calves are often drowned, from being unable to ascend the steep banks of the rivers across which they have just swam, as the cows cannot help them, although they stand near the bank, and will not leave them to their fate unless something alarms them.

BUFFALO.

39

On one occasion Mr. Kipp, of the American Fur Company, caught eleven calves, their dams all the time standing near the top of the bank. Fre- quently, however, the cows leave the young to their fate, when most of them perish. In connection with this part of the subject, we may add, that we were informed when on the Uppei Missouri river, that when the banks of that river were practicable for cows, and their calves could not follow them, they went down again, after having gained the top, and would remain by them until forced away by the cravings of hunger. When thus forced by the necessity of saving themselves to quit their young, they seldom, if ever, returned to them.

When a large herd of these wild animals are crossing a river, the calves or yearlings manage to get on the backs of the cows, and are thus con- veyed safely over ; but when the heavy animals, old and young, reach the shore, they sometimes find it muddy or even deeply miry ; the strength of the old ones struggling in such cases to gain a solid footing, enables them to work their way out of danger in a wonderfully short time. Old bulls, indeed, have been known to extricate themselves when they had got into the mire so deep that but little more than their heads and backs could be seen. On one occasion we saw an unfortunate cow that had fallen into, or rather sank into a quicksand only seven or eight feet wide ; she was quite dead, and we walked on her still fresh carcase safely across the ra- vine which had buried her in its treacherous and shifting sands.

The gaits of the Bison are walking, cantering, and galloping, and when at full speed, he can get over the ground nearly as fast as the best horses found in the Indian country. In lying down, this species bends the fore- legs first, and its movements are almost exactly the same as those of the common cow. It also rises with the same kind of action as cattle.

When surprised in a recumbent posture by the sudden approach of a hunter, who has succeeded in nearing it under the cover of a hill, clump of trees or other interposing object, the Bison springs from the ground and is in full race almost as quick as thought, and is so very alert, that one can scarcely perceive his manner of rising on such occasions.

The bulls never grow as fat as the cows, the latter having been occa- sionally killed with as much as two inches of fat on the boss or hump and along the back to the tail. The fat rarely exceeds half an inch on the sides or ribs, but is thicker on the belly. The males have only one inch of fat, and their fiesh is never considered equal to that of the females in de- licacy or flavour. In a herd of Buffaloes many are poor, and even at the best season it is not likely that all will be found in good condition ; and we have occasionally known a hunting party, when Buffalo was scarce, com- pelled to feed on a straggling old bull as tough as leather. For ourselves, this

40

BUFFALO.

was rather uncomfortable, as we had unfortunately lost our molars long ago.

The Bison is sometimes more abundant in particular districts one year than another, and is probably influenced in its wanderings by the mildness or severity of the weather, as well as by the choice it makes of the best pasturage and most quiet portions of the prairies. While we were at Fort Union, the hunters were during the month of June obliged to go out twenty- five or thirty miles to procure Buffalo meat, although at other times, the animal was quite abundant in sight of the fort. The tramping of a large herd, in wet weather, cuts up the soft clayey soil of the river bottoms, (we do not not mean the bottom of rivers,) into a complete mush. One day> when on our journey up the Missouri river, we landed on one of the nar- row strips of land called bottoms, which formed the margin of the river and was backed by hills of considerable height at a short distance. At this spot the tracks of these animals were literally innumerable, as far as the eye could reach in every direction, the plain was covered with them ; and in some places the soil had been so trampled as to resemble mud or clay, when prepared for making bricks. The trees in the vicinity were rubbed by these buffaloes, and their hair and wool were hanging on the rough bark or lying at their roots. We collected some of this wool, we think it might be usefully worked up into coarse cloth, and consider it worth attention. The roads that are made by these animals, so much re- semble the tracks left by a large wagon-train, that the inexperienced traveller may occasionally imagine himself following the course of an or- dinary wagon-road. These great tracks run for hundreds of miles across the prairies, and are usually found to lead to some salt-spring, or some river or creek, where the animals can allay their thirst.

The captain of the steamboat on which we ascended the Missouri, inform- ed us, that on his last annual voyage up that river, he had caught several Buffaloes, that were swimming the river. The boat was run close upon them, they were lassoed by a Spaniard, who happened to be on board, and then hoisted on the deck, where they were butchered secundum artem. One day we saw several that had taken to the water, and were coming towards our boat. We passed so near them, that we fired at them, but did not pro- cure a single one. On another occasion, one was killed from the shore, and brought on board, when it was immediately divided among the men. We were greatly surprised to see some of the Indians, that were going up with us, ask for certain portions of the entrails, which they devoured with the greatest voracity. This gluttony excited our curiosity, and being always willing to ascertain the quality of any sort of meat, we tasted some of this

BUFFALO.

41

.sort of tripe, and found it very good, although at first its appearance was rather revolting.

The Indians sometimes eat the carcasses of Buffaloes that have been drowned, and some of those on board the Omega one day asked the cap- tain most earnestly to allow them to land and get at the bodies of three Buffaloes which we passed, that had lodged among the drift-logs and were probably half putrid. In this extraordinary request some of the squaws joined. That, when stimulated by the gnawings of hunger, Indians, or even Whites, should feed upon carrion, is not to be wondered at, since we have many instances of cannibalism and other horrors, when men are in a state of starvation, but these Indians were in the midst of plenty of wholesome food and we are inclined to think their hankering after this disgusting ffesh must be attributed to a natural taste for it, probably acquired when young, as they are no doubt sometimes obliged in their wanderings over the prairies in winter, to devour carrion and even bones and hides, to preserve their lives. In the height of the rutting-season, the ffesh of the Buffalo bull is quite rank, and unfit to be eaten, except from necessity, and at this time the animal can be scented at a considerable distance.

When a herd of Bisons is chased, although the bulls run with great swift- ness their speed cannot be compared with that of the cows and yearling calves. These, in a few moments leave the bulls behind them, but as they are greatly preferred by the hunter, he always (if well mounted) pursues them and allows the bulls to escape. During the winter of 1842 and 4.3, as we were told. Buffaloes were abundant around Fort Union, and during the night picked up straggling handfuls of hay that happened to be scattered about the place. An attempt was made to secure some of them alive, by strewing hay as a bait, from the interior of the old fort, which is about two hundred yards off, to some distance from the gateway, hoping the animals would feed along into the enclosure- They ate the hay to the very gate ; but as the hogs and common cattle were regularly placed there, for security, during the night, the Buffaloes would not enter, probably on account of the various odours issuing from the interior. As the Buffaloes generally found some hay scattered around, they soon became accustomed to sleep in the vicinity of the fort , but went off every morning, and dis- appeared behind the hills, about a mile off.

One night they were fired at, from a four-pounder loaded with musket- balls. Three were killed, and several were wounded, but this disaster did not prevent them from returning frequently to the fort at night, and they were occasionally shot, during the whole winter, quite near the fort.

As various accounts of Buffalo-hunts have been already written, we

will pass over our earliest adventures in that way, which occurred many vox.. II. — 6

42

BUFFALO.

years ago, and give you merely a sketch of the mode in which we killed them during our journey to the West, in 1843.

One morning in July, our party and several persons attached to Fort Union, (for we were then located there,) crossed the river, landed oppo- site the fort, and passing through the rich alluvial belt of woodland which margins the river, were early on our way to the adjacent prairie, beyond the hills. Our equipment consisted of an old Jersey wagon, to which we had two horses attached, tandem, driven by Mr. Culbertson, principal at the fort. This wagon carried Mr. Harris, Bell, and ourselves, and we were followed by two carts, which contained the rest of the party, while behind came the running horses or hunters, led carefully along. After crossing the lower prairie, we ascended between the steep banks of the rugged ravines, until we reached the high undulating plains above. On turning to take a retrospective view, we beheld the fort and a consider- able expanse of broken and prairie-land behind us, and the course of the river was seen as it wound along, for some distance. Resuming our ad- vance we soon saw a number of antelopes, some of which had young ones with them. After travelling about ten miles farther we approached the Fox river, and at this point one of the party espied a small herd of Bisons at a considerable distance off. Mr. Culbertson, after searching for them with the telescope, handed it to us and showed us where they were. They were all lying down and appeared perfectly unconscious of the existence of our party. Our vehicles and horses were now turned towards them and we travelled cautiously to within about a quarter of a mile of the herd, covered by a high ridge of land which concealed us from their view. The wind was favourable, (blowing towards us,) and now the hunters threw aside their coats, tied handkerchiefs around their heads, looked to their guns, mounted their steeds, and moved slowly and cautiously towards the game. The rest of the party crawled carefully to the top of the ridge to see the chase. At the word of command, given by Mr. Culbertson, the hunters dashed forward after the bulls, which already began to run off in a line nearly parallel with the ridge we were upon. The swift horses, urged on by their eager riders and their own impetuosity, soon began to overtake the affrighted animals ; two of them separated from the others and were pursued by Mr. Culbertson and Mr. Bell ; presently the former fired, and we could see that he had wounded one of the bulls. It stopped after going a little way and stood with its head hanging down and its nose near the ground. The blood appeared to be pouring from its mouth and nostrils, and its drooping tail showed the agony of the poor beast. Yet it stood firm, and its sturdy legs upheld its ponderous body as if nought had happened. We hastened toward it but ere we approached the spot.

BUFFALO.

43

the wounded animal fell, rolled on its side, and expired. It was quite dead when we reached it. In the mean time Mr. Bell had continued in hot haste after the other, and Mr. Harris and Mr. SauiRE had each selected, and were following one of the main party. Mr. Bell shot, and his ball took effect in the buttocks of the animal. At this moment Mr. Suuire’s horse threw him over his head fully ten feet : he fell on his powder-horn and was severely bruised ; he called to some one to stop his horse and was soon on his legs, but felt sick for a. few moments. Friend Harris, who was perfectly cool, neared his bull, shot it through the lungs, and it fell dead on the spot. Mr. Bell was still in pursuit of his wounded ani- mal and Mr. Harris and Mr. Squire joined and followed the fourth, which, however, was soon out of sight. We saw Mr. Bell shoot two or three times, and heard guns fired, either by Mr. Harris or Mr. Squire, but the weather was so hot that fearful of injuring their horses they were obliged to allow the bull they pursued to escape. The one shot by Mr. Bell, tumbled upon his knees, got up again, and rushed on one of the hunters, who shot it once more, when it paused, and almost immediately fell dead.

The flesh of the Buffaloes thus killed was sent to the fort in the cart, and we continued our route and passed the night on the prairie, at a spot about half way between the Yellow-Stone and the Missouri rivers. Here, just before sundown, seven more bulls were discovered by the hunters, and Mr. Harris, Mr. Bell and Mr. Culbertson each killed one. In this part of the prairie we observed several burrows made by the swift fox, but could not see any of those animals although we watched for some time in hopes of doing so. They probably scented our party and would not ap- proach. The hunters on the prairies, either from hunger or because they have not a very delicate appetite, sometimes break in the skull of a buffalo and eat the brains raw. At sunrise we were all up, and soon had our coffee, after which a mulatto man called Lafleur, an excellent hunter at- tached to the American Fur-Company, accompanied Mr. Harris and Mr. Bell on a hunt for antelopes, as we wanted no more Buffaloes. After waiting the return of the party, who came back unsuccessful, we broke up our camp and turned our steps homeward.

The Buffalo bulls which have been with their fair ones are at this season wretchedly poor, but some of them, which appear not to have much fondness for the latter, or may have been driven off by their rivals, are in pretty good condition. The prairies are in some places whitened with the skulls of the Buffalo, dried and bleached by the summer’s sun and the frosts and snows of those severe latitudes in winter. Thousands are killed

44

BUFFALO.

merely for their tongues, and their large carcasses remain to feed the wolves and other rapacious prowlers on the grassy wastes.

A large Bison bull will generally weigh nearly two thousand pounds, and a fat cow, about twelve hundred. We weighed one of the bulls killed by our party and found it to reach seventeen hundred and twenty seven pounds, although it had already lost a good deal of blood. This was an old bull and was not fat ; it had probably weighed more at some previous period. We were told that at this season a great many half-breed In- dians were engaged in killing Buffaloes and curing their flesh for winter- use, on Moose river, about 200 miles north of us.

When these animals are shot at a distance of fifty or sixty yards, they rarely, if ever, charge on the hunters. Mr. Culbertson told us he had killed as many as nine bulls from the same spot, unseen by these terrible animals. There are times, however, when they have been known to gore both horse and rider, after being severely wounded, and have dropped down dead but a few minutes afterwards. There are indeed instances of bulls receiving many balls without being immediately killed, and we saw one which during one of our hunts was shot no less than twenty-four times be- fore it dropped.

A bull that our party had wounded in the shoulder, and which was thought too badly hurt to do much harm to any one, was found rather dan- gerous when we approached him, as he would dart forward at the nearest of his foes, and but that his wound prevented him from wheeling and turn- ing rapidly, he would certainly have done some mischief. We fired at him from our six-barrelled revolving pistol, which, however, seemed to have little other effect than to render him more savage and furious. His ap- pearance was well calculated to appal the bravest, had we not felt assured that his strength was fast diminishing. We ourselves were a little too confident, and narrowly escaped being overtaken by him through our im- prudence. We placed ourselves directly in his front, and as he advanced, fired at his head and ran back, not supposing that he could overtake us ; but he soon got within a few feet of our rear, with head lowered, and every preparation made for giving us a hoist ; the next instant, however, we had jumped aside, and the animal was unable to alter his headlong course quick enough to avenge himself on us. Mr. Bell now put a ball directly through his lungs, and with a gush of blood from the mouth and nostrils, he fell upon his knees and gave up the ghost, falling (as usual) on the side, quite dead.

On another occasion, when the same party were hunting near the end of the month of July, Mr. Squire wounded a bull twice, but no blood flow- ing from the mouth, it was concluded the wounds were only in the flesh.

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and the animal was shot by Mr. Culbertson, Owen McKenzie, and Mr. SauiRE, again. This renewed fire only seemed to enrage him the more, and he made a dash at the hunters so sudden and unexpected, that Mr. Squire, attempting to escape, rode between the beast and a ravine which was near, when the bull turned upon him, his horse became frightened and leaped down the bank, the Buffalo following him so closely that he was neai’ly unhorsed ; he lost his presence of mind and dropped his gun ; he, however, fortunately hung on by the mane and recovered his seat. The horse was the ffeetest, and saved his life. He told us subsequently that he had never been so terrified before. This bull was fired at several times after Squire’s adventure, and was found to have twelve balls lodged in him when he was killed. He was in very bad condition, and being in the rutting season we found the fiesh too rank for our dainty palates and only took the tongue with us.

Soon afterwards we killed a cow in company with many bulls and were at first afraid that they would charge upon us, which in similar cases they frequently do, but our party was too large and they did not venture near, although their angry bellowings and their unwillingness to leave the spot showed their rage at parting with her. As the sun was now sinking fast towards the horizon on the extended prairie, we soon be- gan to make our way toward the camping ground and passed within a moderate distance of a large herd of Buffaloes, which we did not stop to molest but increasing our speed reached our quarters for the night, just as the shadows of the western plain indicated that we should not behold the orb of day until the morrow.

Our camp was near three conical hills called the Mamelles, only about thirty miles from Fort Union, although we had travelled nearly fifty by the time we reached the spot. After unloading and unsaddling our tired beasts, all hands assisted in getting wood and bringing water, and we were soon quietly enjoying a cup of coffee. The time of refreshment to the weary hunter is always one of interest : the group of stalwart frames stretched in various attitudes around or near the blazing watch-fires, re- calls to our minds the masterpieces of the great delineators of night scenes ; and we have often at such times beheld living pictui'es, far surpassing any of those contained in the galleries of Europe.

There were signs of grizzly bears around us, and during the night we heard a number of wolves howling among the bushes in the vicinity. The service berry was abundant and we ate a good many of them, and after a hasty preparation in the morning, started again after the Buffaloes we had seen the previous evening. Having rode for some time, one of our party who was in advance as a scout, made the customarj^ signal from the top of a

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BUFFALO.

high hill, that Buffaloes were in sight ; this is done by walking the hunter’s horse backward and forward several times. We hurried on and found our scout lying close to his horse’s neck, as if asleep on the back of the ani- mal. He pointed out where he had discovered the game, but they had gone out of sight, and (as he said) were travelling fast, the herd being composed of both bulls and cows. The hunters mounted at once, and gal- loped on in rapid pursuit, while we followed more leisurely over hills and plains and across ravines and broken ground, at the risk of our necks. Now and then we could see the hunters, and occasionally the Buffaloes, which had taken a direction toward the Fort. At last we reached an emi- nence from which we saw the hunters approaching the Buffaloes in order to begin the chase in earnest. It seems that there is no etiquette among Buffalo hunters, and this not being understood beforehand by our friend Harris, he was disappointed in his wish to kill a cow. The country was not as favourable to the hunters as it was to the flying herd. The females separated from the males, and the latter turned in our direction and passed within a few hundred yards of us without our being able to Are at them. Indeed we willingly suffered them to pass unmolested, as they are always very dangerous when they have been parted from the cows. Only one female was killed on this occasion. On our way homeward we made towards the coupee, an opening in the hills, where we expected to find water for our horses and mules, as our supply of Missouri water was only enough for ourselves.

The water found on these prairies is generally unfit to drink, (unless as a matter of necessity,) and we most frequently carried eight or ten gallons from the river, on our journey through the plains. We did not And water where we expected, and were obliged to proceed about two miles to the eastward, where we luckily found a puddle sufficient for the wants of our horses and mules. There was not a bush in sight at this place, and we collected Buffalo dung to make a fire to cook with. In the winter this prairie fuel is often too wet to burn, and the hunters and Indians have to eat their meat raw. It can however hardly be new to our readers to hear that they are often glad to get any thing, either raw or cooked, when in this desolate region.

Young Buffalo bulls are sometimes castrated by the Indians, as we were told, for the purpose of rendering them larger and fatter ; and we were in- formed, that when full grown they have been shot, and found to be far su- perior to others in the herd, in size as well as flavour. During severe winters the Buflaloes become very poor, and when the snow has covered the ground for several months to the depth of two or three feet, they are wretched objects to behold. They frequently in this emaciated state lose

BUFFALO.

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their hair and become covered with scabs ; and the magpies alight on their backs and pick the sores. The poor animals in these dreadful seasons die in great numbers.

A singular trait in the Buffalo when caught young, was related to us, as follows : When a calf is taken, if the person who captures it places one of his fingers in its mouth, it will follow him afterwards, whether on foot or on horseback, for several miles.

We now give a few notes from our journal kept at Fort Union, which may interest our readers.

August 7th, 1843, a Buffalo cow was killed and brought into the fort, and to the astonishment of all, was found to be near her time of calving. This was an extraordinary circumstance at that season of the year.

August 8th, The young Buffaloes have commenced shedding their first (or red) coat of hair, which drops off in patches about the size of the palm of a man’s hand. The new hair is dark brownish black. We caught one of these calves with a lasso, and had several men to hold him, but on ap- proaching to pull off some of the old hair, he kicked and bounced about in such a furious manner that we could not get near him. Mr. Culbertson had it however taken to the press post, and there it was drawn up and held so closely that we could handle it, and we tore off some pieces of its old pelage, which hung to the side with surprising tenacity.

The process of butchering or cutting up the carcass of the Buffalo is generally performed in a slovenly and disgusting manner by the hunters, and the choicest parts only are saved, unless food is scarce. The liver and brains are eagerly sought for, and the hump is excellent when broiled. The pieces of flesh from the sides are called by the French, fillets, or the depouille ; the marrow bones are sometimes cut out, and the paunch is stripped of its covering of fat.

Some idea of the immense number of Bisons to be still seen on the wild prairies, may be formed from the following account, given to us by Mr. Kipp, one of the principals of the American Fur Company. “ While he was travelling from Travers’ Bay to the Mandan nation in the month of August, in a cart heavily laden, he passed through herds of Buffalo for six days in succession. At another time he saw the great prairie near Fort Clark on the Missouri river, almost blackened by these animals, which co- vered the plain to the hills that bounded the view in all directions, and pro- bably extended farther.

When the Bisons first see a person, whether white or red, they trot or canter off forty or fifty yards, and then stop suddenly, turn their heads and gaze on their foe for a few moments, then take a course and go off at full speed until out of sight, and beyond the scent of man.

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BUFFALO.

Although large, heavy, and comparatively clumsy, the Bison is at times brisk and frolicksome, and these huge animals often play and gambol about, kicking their heels in the air with surprising agility, and throwing their hinder parts to the right and left alternately, or from one side to the other, their heels the while flying about and their tails whisking in the air. They are very impatient in the fly and mosquito season, and are often seen kick- ing and running against the wind to rid themselves of these tormentors.

The different Indian tribes hunt the Buffalo in various ways : some pur- sue them on horseback and shoot them with arrows, which they point with old bits of iron, or old knife blades. They are rarely expert in loading or re- loading guns, (even if they have them,) but in the closely contested race between their horse and the animal, they prefer the rifle to the bow and arrow. Other tribes follow them with patient perseverance on foot, until they come within shooting distance, or kill them by stratagem.

The Mandan Indians chase the Buffalo in parties of from twenty to fifty, and each man is provided with two horses, one of which he rides, and the other being trained expressly for the chase, is led to the place where the Buffaloes are started. The hunters are armed with bows and arrows, their quivers containing from thirty to fifty arrows according to the wealth of the owner. When they come in sight of their game, they quit the horses on which they have ridden, mount those led for them, ply the whip, soon gain the flank or even the centre of the herd, and shoot their arrows into the fattest, according to their fancy. When a Buffalo has been shot, if the blood ffows from the nose or mouth, he is considered mortally wounded ; if not, they shoot a second or a third arrow into the wounded animal.

The Buffalo, when first started by the hunters, carries his tail close down between the legs ; but when wounded, he switches his tail about, espe- cially if intending to fight his pursuer, and it behooves the hunter to watch these movements closely, as the horse will often shy, and without due care the rider may be thrown, which when in a herd of Buffalo is almost certain death. An arrow will kill a Buffalo instantly if it takes effect in the heart, but if it does not reach the right spot, a dozen arrows will not even arrest one in his course, and of the wounded, many run out of sight and are lost to the hunter.

At times the wounded Bison turns so quickly and makes such a sudden rush upon the hunter, that if the steed is not a good one and the rider per- fectly cool, they are overtaken, the horse gored and knocked down, and the hunter thrown off and either gored or trampled to death. But if the horse is a fleet one, and the hunter expert, the Bison is easily outrun and they escape. At best it may be said that this mode of Buffalo hunting is

BUFFALO. 49

dangerous sport, and one requires both skill and nerve to come off success- fully.

The Gros Ventres, Blackfeet and Assinaboines often take the Buffalo in large pens, usually called parks, constructed in the following manner.

Two converging fences built of sticks logs and brushwood are made, leading to the mouth of a pen somewhat in the shape of a funnel. The pen itself is either square or round, according to the nature of the ground where it is to be placed, at the narrow end of the funnel, which is always on the verge of a sudden break or precipice in the prairie ten or fifteen feet deep, and is made as strong as possible. When this trap is completed, a young man very swift of foot starts at daylight, provided with a Bison’s hide and head, to cover his body and head when he approaches the herd that is to be taken, on nearing which he bleats like a young Buffalo calf, and makes his way slowly towards the mouth of the converging fences leading to the pen. He repeats this cry at intervals, the Buffaloes follow the decoy, and a dozen or more of mounted Indians at some distance behind the herd gallop from one side to the other on both their fianks, urging them by this means to enter the funnel, which having done, a crowd of men wo- men and children come and assist in frightening them, and as soon as they have fairly entered the road to the pen beneath the precipice, the disguised Indian, still bleating occasionally, runs to the edge of the precipice, quickly descends, and makes his escape, climbing over the barricade or fence of the pen beneath, while the herd follow on till the leader (probably an old bull) is forced to leap down into the pen, and is followed by the whole herd, which is thus ensnared, and easily destroyed even by the women and children, as there is no means of escape for them.

This method of capturing the Bison is especially resorted to in October and November, as the hide is at that season in good condition and saleable, and the meat can be preserved for the winter supply. When the Indians have thus driven a herd of Buffalo into a pen, the warriors all assemble by the side of the enclosure, the pipe is lighted, and the chiefs smoke to the honour of the Great Spirit, to the four points of the compass, and to the herd of Bisons. As soon as this ceremony has ended, the destruction com- mences, guns are fired and arrows shot from every direction at the devot- ed animals, and the whole herd is slaughtered before the Indians enter the space where the Buffaloes have become their victims. Even the children shoot tiny arrows at them when thus captured, and try the strength of theii young arms upon them.

It sometimes happens, however, that the leader of the herd becomes alarm- ed and restless while driving to the precipice, and should the fence be weak, breaks through, and the whole drove follow and escape. It also somr VOL. II. 7.

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times occurs, that after the Bisons are in the pen, which is often so fill- ed that they touch each other, the terrified crowd swaying to and fro, their weight against the fence breaks it down, and if the smallest gap is made, it is immediately widened, when they dash through and scamper off, leaving the Indians in dismay and disappointment. The side fences for the purpose of leading the Buffaloes to the pens extend at times nearly half a mile, and some of the pens cover two or three hun- dred yards of ground. It takes much time and labour to construct one of these great traps or snares, as the Indians sometimes have to bring timber from a considerable distance to make the fences and render them strong and efficient.

The Bison has several enemies : the worst is, of course, man ; then comes the grizzly bear ; and next, the wolf. The bear follows them and succeeds in destroying a good many ; the wolf hunts them in packs, and commits great havoc among them, especially among the calves and the cows when calving. Many Buffaloes are killed when they are struggling in the mire on the shores of rivers where they sometimes stick fast, so that the wolves or bears can attack them to advantage ; eating out their eyes and devouring the unresisting animals by piecemeal.

When we were ascending the Missouri river, the first Buffaloes were heard of near Fort Leavenworth, some having a short time before been killed within forty miles of that place. We did not, however, see any of these animals until we had passed Fort Croghan, but above this point we met with them almost daily, either floating dead on the river, or gazing at our steamboat from the shore.

Every part of the Bison is useful to the Indians, and their method of making boats, by stretching the raw hide over a sort of bowl-shaped frame work, is well known. These boats are generally made by the wo- men, and we saw some of them at the Mandan village. The horns are made into drinking vessels, ladles, and spoons. The skins form a good bed, or admirable covering from the cold, and the flesh is excellent food, whether fresh or dried or made into pemmican ; the fat is reduced and put up in bladders, and in some cases used for frying fish, &c.

The hide of the Buffalo is tanned or dressed altogether by the women, or squaws, and the children ; the process is as follows : The skin is first hung on a post, and all the adhering flesh taken off with a bone, toothed somewhat like a saw; this is performed by scraping the skin down- wards, and requires considerable labour. The hide is then stretched on the ground and fastened down with pegs ; it is then allowed to remain till dry, which is usually the case in a day or two. After it is dry- the flesh side is pared down with the blade of a knife fastened in a

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bone, called a grate, which renders the skin even and takes off about a quarter of its thickness. The hair is taken off with the same instrument and these operations being performed, and the skin reduced to a proper thickness, it is covered over either with brains, liver or grease, and left for a night. The next day the skin is rubbed and scraped either in the sun or by a fire, until the greasy matter has been worked into it, and it is nearly dry ; then a cord is fastened to two poles and over this the skin is thrown, and pulled, rubbed and worked until quite dry ; after which it is sewed to- gether around the edges excepting at one end ; a smoke is made with rot- ten wood in a hole dug in the earth, and the skin is suspended over it, on sticks set up like a tripod, and thoroughly smoked, which completes the tan- ning and renders the skin able to bear wet without losing its softness or pliability afterwards.

Buffalo robes are dressed in the same manner, only that the hair is not removed and they are not smoked. They are generally divided into two parts : a strip is taken from each half on the back of the skin where the hump was, and the two halves, or sides, are sewed together after they are dressed, with thread made of the sinews of the animal ; which process be- ing finished, the robe is complete and ready for market.

The scrapings of the skins, we were informed, are sometimes boiled with berries, and make a kind of jelly which is considered good food in some cases by the Indians. The strips cut off from the skins are sewed togeth- er and make robes for the children, or caps, mittens, shoes, &c. The bones are pounded fine with a large stone and boiled, the grease which rises to the top is skimmed off and put into bladders. This is the favourite and famous marrow grease, which is equal to butter. The sinews are used for stringing their bows, and are a substitute for thread ; the intestines are eaten, the shoulder-blades made into hoes, and in fact (as we have al- ready stated) nothing is lost or wasted, but every portion of the animal, by the skill and industry of the Indians, is rendered useful.

Balls are found in the stomach of the Buffalo, as in our common domes- tic cattle.

Having heard frequent discussions respecting the breeding of the Bison in a domesticated state, and knowing that Robert Wickliffe, Esq., of Ken- tucky, had raised some of these animals, we requested his son, then on his way to Europe, to ask that gentleman to give us some account of their ha- bits under his care, and shortly afterwards received a letter from him, da- ted Lexington Nov. 6th, 1843, in which he gives an interesting account of the Bison breeding with the common cow, and other particulars con- nected with this animal. After expressing his desire to comply with our reque.st intimated to him by his son, he proceeds to give us the following

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information : “as far,” he writes, “as his limited knowledge of natural history and his attention to these animals will permit him to do.” He proceeds : “The herd of Buffalo I now possess have descended from one or two cows that I purchased from a man who brought them from the country called the Up- per Missouri ; I have had them for about thirty years, but from giving them away and the occasional killing of them by mischievous persons, as well as other causes, my whole stock at this time does not exceed ten or twelve. I have sometimes confined them in separate parks from other cattle, but generally they herd and feed with my stock of farm cattle. They graze in company with them as gently as the others. The Buffalo cows, I think, go with young about the same time the common cow does, and produce once a year ; none of mine have ever had more than one at a birth. The approach of the sexes is similar to that of the common bull and cow under similar circumstances at all times when the cow is in heat, a period which seems, as with the common cow, confined neither to day, nor night, nor any particular season, and the cows bring forth their young of course at different times and seasons of the year, the same as our domesticated cattle. I do not find my Buffaloes more furious or wild than the common cattle of the same age that graze with them.

“ Although the Buffalo, like the domestic cow, brings forth its young at different seasons of the year, this I attribute to the effect of domestication, as it is different with all animals in a state of nature. I have always heard their time for calving in our latitude was from March until July, and it is very obviously the season which nature assigns for the increase of both races, as most of my calves were from the Buffaloes and common cows at this season. On getting possession of the tame Buffalo, I endeavoured to cross them as much as I could with my common cows, to which experi- ment I found the tame or common bull unwilling to accede, and he was al- ways shy of a Buffalo cow, but the Buffalo bull was willing to breed with the common cow.

“ From the domestic cow I have several half breeds, one of which was a heifer ; this I put with a domestic bull, and it produced a bull calf. This I castrated, and it made a very fine steer, and when killed produced very fine beef. I bred from the same heifer several calves, and then, that the experi- ment might be perfect, I put one of them to the Buffalo bull, and she brought me a bull calf which I raised to be a very fine large animal, per- haps the only one to be met with in the world of his blood, viz., a three quar- ter, half quarter, and half quarter of the common blood. After making these experiments, I have left them to propagate their breed themselves, so that I have only had a few half breeds, and they always prove the same, even by a Buffalo bull. The full blood is not as large as the improved

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stoc|c, but as large as the ordinary cattle of the country. The crossed or half blood are larger than either the Buffalo or common cow. The hump^ brisket, ribs and tongue of the full and half blooded are preferable to those of the common beef, but the round and other parts are much inferior. The udder or bag of the Buffalo is smaller than that of the common cow, but I have allowed the calves of both to run with their dams upon the same pas- ture, and those of the Buffalo were always the fattest ^nd old hunters have told me, that when a young Buffalo calf is taken, it requires the milk of two common cows to raise it. Of this I have no doubt, having received the same information from hunters of the greatest veracity. The bag or ud- der of the half breed is larger than that of full blooded animals, and they would, I have no doubt, make good milkers.

“ The wool of the wild Buffalo grows on their descendants when domesti- cated, but I think they have less of wool than their progenitors. The do- mesticated Buffalo still retains the grunt of the wild animal, and is incapa- ble of making any other noise, and they still observe the habit of having select places within their feeding grounds to wallow in.

“ The Buffalo has a mueh deeper shoulder than the tame ox, but is light- er behind. He walks more actively than the latter, and I think has more strength than a common ox of the same weight. I have broke them to the yoke, and found them capable of making excellent oxen ; and for draw- ing wagons, carts, or other heavily laden vehicles on long journeys, they would, I think, be greatly preferable to the common ox. I have as yet had no opportunity of testing the longevity of the Buffalo, as all mine that have died, did so from accident or were killed beeause they became aged. I have some cows that are nearly twenty years old, that are healthy and vigorous, and one of them has now a sucking calf.

“ The young Buffalo calf is of a sandy red or rufous colour, and com- mences changing to a dark brown at about six months old, which last colour it always retains. The mixed breeds are of various colours ; I have had them striped with black, on a gray ground like the zebra, some of them brindled red, some pure red with white faces, and others red without any markings of white. The mixed bloods haA'^e not only produced in my stock from the tame and the Buffalo bull, but I have seen the half bloods repro- ducing ; viz. : those that were the product of the common cow and wild Buffalo bull. I was informed that at the first settlement of the country, cows that were considered the best for milking, were from the half blood, down to the quarter, and even eighth of the Buffalo blood. But my experi- ments have not satisfied me that the half Buffalo bull will produce again. That the half breed heifer will be productive from either race, as I have before stated, I have tested beyond the possibility of a doubt.

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“ The domesticated Buffalo retains the same haughty bearing that dis- tinguishes him in his natural state. He will, however, feed or fatten on whatever suits the tame cow, and requires about the same amount of food. I have never milked either the full blood or mixed breed, but have no doubt they might be made good milkers, although their bags or udders are less than those of the common cow ; yet from the strength of the calf, the dam must yield as much or even more milk than the common cow.”

Since reading the above letter, we recollect that the Buffalo calves that were kept at Fort Union, though well fed every day, were in the habit of sucking each other’s ears for hours together.

There exists a singular variety of the Bison, which is however very scarce, and the skin of which is called by both the hunters and fur traders a “ beaver robe.” These are valued so highly that some have sold for more than three hundred dollars. Of this variety Mr. Cul- bertson had the goodness to present us with a superb specimen, which we had lined with cloth, and find a most excellent defence against the cold, whilst driving in our wagon during the severity of our northern winters.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

The range of the Bison is still very extensive ; but although it was once met with on the Atlantic coast, it has, like many others, receded and gone west and south, driven onward by the march of civilization and the advance of the axe and plough. His habits, as we have seen, are migratory, and the extreme northern and southern limits of the wan- dering herds not exactly defined. Authors state, that at the time of the first settlement of Canada it was not known in that country, and Sagard Theodat mentions having heard that bulls existed in the far west, but saw none himself. According to Dr. Richardson, Great Slave Lake, latitude 60°, was at one time the northern boundary of their range ; but of late years, according to the testimony of the natives, they have taken possession of the flat limestone district of Slave Point on the north side of that lake, and have wandered to the vicinity of Great Marten Lake, in latitude 63° or 64°. The Bison was not known formerly to the north of the Columbia river on the Pacific coast, and Lewis and Clark found Buffalo robes were an important article of traffic between the inhabitants of the east side and those west of the Rocky mountains.

The Bison is spoken of by Hernandez as being found in New Spain or Mexico, and it probably extended farther south. Lawson speaks of

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two Buffaloes that were killed in one season on Cape Fear river, in North Carolina. The Bison formerly existed in South Carolina on the seaboard, and we were informed that from the last herd seen in that State, two were killed in the vicinity of Columbia. It thus appears that at one period this animal ranged over nearly the whole of North America.

At the present time, the Buffalo is found in vast herds in some of the great prairies, and scattered more sparsely nearly over the whole length and breadth of the valleys east and west that adjoin the Rocky Moun- tain chain

66

PUTOEIUS EE MINE A.— Linn.

White Weasel. — Stoat.

PLATE LIX — Male and Female in summer pelage.

P. Hyeme alba ; aestate supra rutila, infra alba caudae apice nigro.

characters.

White, in winter ; in summer, hrown above, white beneath ; tip of the tail, black.

SYNONYMES.

Mustela Erminea, Briss. Regne An., p. 243, 2.

“ “ Linn., Syst. Nat., 12. i., p. 68. 7.

“ “ Schreb., Saugth., p. 496, 11 t. 137.

“ “ Erxleben Syst., p. 474, 13.

ViVERA Erminea, Shaw, Gen. Zool., i., 2 p. 426 t. 99.

“ “ Pennant, Arctic Zoology, i., p. 75.

Hermine, Buffon, C. C., p. 240, t.

Mustela Erminea, Parry’s First Voyage, Sup. 135.

“ “ Parry’s Second Voy., App. 294.

“ “ Franklin’s First Journey, p. 652.

“ “ Godman, Ame. Nat. Hist., vol. i., p. 193, fig. 1.

“ “ Harlan, p.62.

PuTORius Noveboracensis, Dekay, Nat. Hist. New-York, p. 36,

DESCRIPTION.

Body, long and slender, with a convex nose and forehead ; limbs, short, and rather stout ; tail, long and cylindrical ; moustaches, long, extending beyond the ears ; ears, low, broad and round, do not entirely surround the auditory opening, sparingly covered with short hairs on both surfaces. There are five toes on each foot, the inner toe much the shortest ; the toes are clothed with hairs, covering the nails ; fur, soft and short ; tail, hairy, and bushy at the end. There are two glands situated on each side of the under surface of the tail, which contain an offensive white musky fluid.

m

WHITE WEASEL,

57

COLOUR.

In winter, in the latitude of Pennsylvania and New- York, all the hairs are snowy white from the roots, except those on the end of the tail, which for about one and three-fourth inches is black. We received specimens from Virginia obtained in January, in which the colours on the back had under- gone no change, and remained brown ; and from the upper and middle dis- tricts of South Carolina killed at the same period, when no change had taken place, and it was stated that this, the only species of Weasel found there, remained brown through the whole year. These specimens are now in our possession, and we have arrived at the conclusion that the farther South we advance, the less perfect is the change from brown to white. We have spe- cimens from Long Island, obtained in winter, which retain shades of brown on the head and dorsal line. Those from the valleys of the Virginia mountains have broad stripes of brown on the back, and specimens from Ab- beville and Lexington, S. Carolina, have not undergone the slightest change. We were informed by our friend Mr. Bromfield an eminent botanist of England, that in the Isle of Wight, the place of his residence, the Ermine underwent only a partial change in winter.

In summer, the upper surface of the body is of a chesnut-brown colour, a little darker on the dorsal line ; under surface, the upper lips to the nose, chin, throat, inner surfaces of legs, and belly, white ; the line sepa- rating the colour of the back from that on the under surface, is very dis- tinct, but irregular, and in some specimens, the white on the belly extends further up along the sides than in others. Whiskers white and black ; the former preponderating ; end of tail, as in winter, black.

DIMENSIONS.

Inich03.

Old male.

Nose to root of tail, 10^

Tail (vertebrae), - - - 51

“ to end of hair, 7

Breadth between the ears, li

Length of head, 2

Stretch of legs from end, to end of claws, - - - 14

Length of hind foot, to end of nails, - - - - 1|

“ fore-foot, to “ - - - - 1|

Black tip of tail, 3

VOL u. 8

58

WHITE WEASEL.

HABITS.

The name of Ermine is associated with the pride of state and luxury, its fur having from time immemorial been the favourite ornament of the robes of princes, judges and prelates. From its snowy whiteness it is emblematic of the purity which they ought to possess.

To us the Ermine, in its winter dress, has always appeared strikingly beautiful. On a wintry day, when the earth was covered with a broad sheet of snow, our attention has sometimes been arrested by this little ani- mal peering out from a log heap, or the crevices of a stone fence ; its eyes in certain shades of light appearing like sapphires, its colour vieing in white- ness and brilliancy with the snowy mantle of the surrounding landscape.

Graceful in form, rapid in his movements, and of untiring industry, he is withal a brave and fearless little fellow; conscious of security within the windings of his retreat among the logs, or heap of stones, he permits us to approach him to within a few feet, then suddenly with- draws his head ; we remain still for a moment, and he once more re- turns to his post of observation, watching curiously our every motion, seeming willing to claim association so long as we abstain from becoming his persecutor.

Yet with all these external attractions, this little Weasel is fierce and bloodthirsty, possessing an intuitive propensity to destroy every animal and bird within its reach, some of which, such as the American rabbit, the rufied grouse, and domestic fowl, are ten times its own size. It is a notorious and hated depredator of the poultry house, and we have known forty well grown fowls to have been killed in one night by a single Er- mine. Satiated with the blood of probably a single fowl, the rest, like the fiock slaughtered by the wolf in the sheepfold, were destroyed in obe- dience to a law of nature, an instinctive propensity to kill. We have traced the footsteps of this bloodsucking little animal on the snow, pur- suing the trail of the American rabbit, and although it could not overtake its prey by superior speed, yet the timid hare soon took refuge in the hol- low of a tree, or in a hole dug by the marmot, or skunk. Thither it was pursued by the Ermine, and destroyed, the skin and other remains at the mouth of the burrow bearing evidence of the fact. We observed an Er- mine, after having captured a hare of the above species, first behead it and then drag the body some twenty yards over the fresh fallen snow, be- neath which it was concealed, and the snow tightly pressed over it ; the little prowler displaying thereby a habit of which we became aware for the first time on that occasion. To avoid a dog that was in close pursuit,

WHITE WEASEL.

59

it mounted a ti’ee and laid itself flat on a limb about twenty feet from the ground, from which it was finally shot. We have ascertained by successful experiments, repeated more than a hundred times, that the Ermine can be employed, in the manner of the ferret of Europe, in driving our American rabbit from the burrow into which it has retreat- ed. In one instance, the Ermine employed had been captured only a lew days before, and its canine teeth were filed in order to prevent its destroying the rabbit ; a cord was placed around its neck to secure its return. It pursued the hare through all the windings of its burrow and forced it to the mouth, where it could be taken in a net, or by the hand. In winter, after a snow storm, the rufied grouse has a habit of plunging into the loose snow, where it remains at times for one or two days. In this passive state the Ermine sometimes detects and de- stroys it. In an unsuccessful attempt at domesticating this grouse by fastening its feet to a board in the mode adopted with the stool pigeon, and placing it high on a shelf, an Ermine which we had kept as a pet, found its way by the curtains of the window and put an end to our experiment by eating off the head of our grouse.

Notwithstanding all these mischievous and destructive habits, it is doubtful whether the Ermine is not rather a benefactor than an enemy to the farmer, ridding his granaries and fields of many depredators on the product of his labour, that would devour ten times the value of the poultry and eggs which, at long and uncertain intervals, it occasionally destroys. A mission appears to have been assigned it by Providence to lessen the rapidly multiplying number of mice of various species and the smaller rodentia.

The white-footed mouse is destructive to the grains in the wheat fields and in the stacks, as well as the nurseries of fruit trees. Le Conte’s pine-mouse is injurious to the Irish and sweet potato crops, causing more to rot by nibbling holes into them than it consumes, and Wilson’s meadow-mouse lessens our annual product of hay by feeding on the grasses, and by its long and tortuous galleries among their roots.

Wherever an Ermine has taken up its residence, the mice in its vicin- ity for half a mile round have been found rapidly to diminish in num- ber. Their active little enemy is able to force its thin vermiform body into the burrows, it follows them to the end of their galleries, and destroys whole families. We have on several occasions, after a light snow, fol- lowed the trail of this weasel through fields and meadows, and witnessed the immense destruction which it occasioned in a single night. It enters eveiy hole under stumps, logs, stone heaps and fences, and evidences of its bloody deeds are seen in the mutilated remains of the mice scattere"^

60

WHITE WEASEL.

on the snow. The little chipping or ground squirrel, Tamias Lysteri, takes up its residence in the vicinity of the grain fields, and is known to car- ry off in its cheek pouches vast quantities of wheat and buckwheat, to serve as winter stores. The Ermine instinctively discovers these snug re- treats, and in the space of a few minutes destroys a whole family of these beautiful little Tamics ; without even resting aw'hile until it has con- sumed its now abundant food its appetite craving for more blood, as if impelled by an irresistible destiny it proceeds in search of other objects on which it may glut its insatiable vampire-like thirst. The Norway rat and the common house-mouse take possession of our barns, wheat stacks, and granaries, and destroy vast quantities of grain. In some instances the farmer is reluctantly compelled to pay even more than a tithe in con- tributions towards the support of these pests. Let however an Ermine find its way into these barns and granaries, and there take up its winter resi- dence, and the havoc which is made among the rats and mice will soon be observable. The Ermine pursues them to their farthest retreats, and in a few weeks the premises are entirely free from their depredations. We once placed a half domesticated Ermine in an outhouse infested with rats, shutting up the holes on the outside to prevent their escape. The little animal soon commenced his work of destruction. The squeaking of the rats was heard throughout the day. In the evening, it came out licking its mouth, and seeming like a hound after a long chase, much fatigued. A board of the floor was raised to enable us to ascer- tain the result of our experiment, and an immense number of rats were observed, which, although they had been killed on different parts of the building, had been dragged together, forming a compact heap.

The Ermine is then of immense benefit to the farmer. We are of the opinion that it has been over-hated and too indiscriminately perse- cuted. If detected in the poultry house, there is some excuse for de- stroying it, as, like the dog that has once been caught in the sheepfold, it may return to commit farther depredations ; but when it has taken up its residence under stone heaps and fences, in his fields, or his barns, the farmer would consult his interest by suffering it to remain, as by thus inviting it to a home, it will probably destroy more formidable enemies, relieve him from many petty annoyances, and save him many a bushel of grain.

Let us not too hastily condemn the little Ermine for its bloodthirsty propensities. It possesses well-developed canine teeth, and obeys an in- stinct of nature. Man, with organs not so decidedly carnivorous, and possessed of the restraining powers of reason and conscience, often com- mits a wanton havoc on the inferior animals, not so much from want of

WHITE WEASEL.

61

food, as from a mere love of sport. The buffalo and the elk he has driven across the Mississippi, and their haunts are now restricted to the prairies of the far West. Even now thousands are slaughtered for amusement, and their tongues only are used, whilst their carcasses are left to the wolves. He fills his game bag with more woodcock, par- tridges and snipe, than he requires ; his fishing-rod does not remain idle even after he has provided a full meal for his whole family ; and our youngsters are taught to shoot the little warbler and the sparrow as a preparatory training for the destruction of larger game.

The Ermine is far from being shy in its habits. It is not easily alarmed, and becomes tolerabljr tame when taken young, for we have on several occasions succeeded in our attempts at domesticating it, but it appeared to us that these pets were not quite as gentle as many ferrets that we have seen in Europe. When not kept in confinement, they were apt to stray off into the fields and woods, and finally be- came wild. The tracks of this species on the snow are peculiar, exhibit- ing only two footprints, placed near each other, the succeeding tracks being far removed, giving evidences of long leaps. We have frequently observed where it had made long galleries in the deep snow for twenty or thirty yards, and thus in going from one burrow to another, instead of travelling over the surface, it had constructed for itself a kind of tunnel beneath.

The Ermine is easily taken in any kind of trap. We have on seve- ral occasions, when observing one peeping at us from its secure hole in the wall, kept it gazing until a servant brought a box ti'ap baited with a bird or piece of meat, which was placed within a few feet of its retreat. The Ermine, after eyeing the trap for a few moments, gradually approached it, then after two or three hasty springs backwards returned stealthily into the trap, seized the bait, and was caught. We find in our note-book the following memoi'andum : “On the 19th June, 1846, we baited a large wire trap with maize : on visiting the trap on the following day we found it had caught seven young rats and a Weasel ; the throats of the former had all been cut by the Weasel, and their blood sucked ; but what appeared strange to us, the Weasel itself was also dead. The rats had been attracted by the bait : the Weasel went into the trap and killed them ; and whether it met its death by excessive gluttony, or fi*om a wound inflicted by its host of enemies, we are unable to determine.

This species does not appear to be very abundant any where. We have seldom found more than two or three on any farm in the Northern or Eastern States. We have ascertained that the immense number of tracks often seen in the snow in particular locnlities were made by a single ani-

62

WHITE WEASEL.

mal, as by capturing one, no signs of other individuals were afterwards seen. We have observed it most abundant in stony regions : in Dutchess and Ontario counties in New- York, on the hills of Connecticut and Ver- luont, and at the foot of the Alleghanies in Pennsylvania and Virginia. It is solitary in its habits, as we have seldom seen a pair together except in the rutting season. A family of young, however, are apt to remain in the same locality till autumn. In winter they separate, and we are in- clined to think that they do not hunt in couples or in packs like the wolf, but that, like the bat and the mink, each individual pursues its prey with- out copartnership, and hunts for its own benefit.

The only note we have ever heard uttered by the Ermine is a shrill querulous cry : this was heard only when it was suddenly alarmed, or received a hurt, when its sharp scream was always attended with an emission of the offensive odour with which nature has furnished it as a means of defence. Although nocturnal in its habits, the Ermine is fre- quently met with at all hours of the day, and we have seen it in pur- suit of the common rabbit under a bright shining sun at noon-day.

We doubt whether the Ermine ever digs its own burrows, and although when fastened to a chain in a state of confinement we observed it dig- ging shallow" holes in the ground, its attempts at buiTowing were as awkward as those of the rat ; the nests we have seen were placed un- der roots of trees, in stone heaps, or in the burrows of the ground squir- rel, from which the original occupants had been expelled. The rut- ting season is in winter, from the middle of Februar}" to the beginning of March. The young, from four to seven, are born in May, in the latitude of New- York. We were informed by a close observer, that in the upper country of Carolina, the young had been seen as early as the 25th of March. The colour of the young w’hen a week old, is pale yellow on the upper surface.

The Ermine avoids water, and if forcibly thrown into it, sw"ims awk- wardly like a cat. It does not, like the fisher and pine marten, pursue its prey on trees, and seems never to ascend them from choice ; but from dire necessity, when closely pursued by its implacable enemy, the dog.

One of the most singular characteristics of this species, viz., its change of colour from brown in summer to pure white in winter, and from white in spring to its summer colour, remains to be considered. It is well known that about the middle of October the Ermine gradually loses its browm summer-coat and assumes its w'hite wfinter-pelage, which about the middle of March is replaced by the usual summer colour'

As far as our observations have enabled us to form an opinion on this subject, w"e have arrived at the conclusion, that the animal sheds

WHITE WEASEL.

63

its coat twice a year, i. e., at the periods when these semi-annual changes take place. In autumn, the summer hair gradually and almost imper- ceptibly drops out, and is succeeded by a fresh eoat of hair, which in the course of two or three weeks becomes pure white ; while in the spring the animal undergoes its change from white to brown in consequence of shedding its winter coat, the new hairs then coming out brown. We have in our possession a specimen captured in November, in which the change of colour has considerably advanced, but is not completed. The whole of the under surface, the sides, neck and body to within half an inch of the back, together with the legs, are white, as well as the edges of the ears. On the upper surface, the nose, forehead, neck, and an ir- regular line on the back, together with a spot on the outer surface of the fore-leg, are brown, showing that these parts change colour last.

In reference to the change of pelage and colour as exhibited in spring, we add some notes made by the senior author of this work, in March, 1842, on a specimen sent to him alive by Ogden Hammond, Esq.

The Weasel this evening, the 6th of March, began to show a change of colour ; we were surprised to see that all around its nose, the white hair of its winter dress had changed suddenly to a silky black hue, and this extended to nearly between the ears. Here and there also were seen small spots of black about its rump, becoming more apparent toward the shoulders, and forming as it were a ridge along the back of the animal.

March 10th. By noon the change was wonderfully manifested. The whole upper surface of the head had become black to the eye, as w^ell as the ridge of the back, the latter part having become quite clouded, and showing an indescribable motley mixture of closely-blended white, black, and blackish brown.

18th. This day the change of colour reached the root of the tail, where it formed a ring of about one inch, of the same reddish black colour. All other parts remained white, slightly tinged with pale lemon colour. It fed, as we perceived, more voraciously than ever since we have had it in our possession. No less than three or four mice were devoured to-day, and what is very strange, it left no remains of either hair, skull, feet, or any other part of these animals ; and on this day, the 18th of March, it ate a very large piece of fresh beef, weighing nearly half a pound.

19th. Last night our Weasel made great progress, for this morning we found the coloured ridge on the back broader and less mottled. The posterior coloured part of the head had joined the ridge of the back. The posterior part of the hind legs had become brown, and we ob- served a small spot the size of a sixpence on each upper part of the thighs. At this juncture we think the animal is beautiful.

64

WPIITE WEASEL.

22d. This morning we found all the white hair on the outward ridge of the back had fallen, and portions of the thighs and shoulders had become broader ; the coloured parts were of a rich brown to the very nose, and there existed indications of small dark spots coming from the sides of the belly, somewhat like so many beads strung on a thread, separated from the lower edge of the back ridge by a line of white of about half an inch. The weasel continues as lively as ever. When asleep, it curls its body around, and the tail encircles the whole animal, the end covering the nose. The eyes appear to be kept care- fully uncovered. The general tints of the coloured parts of this Wea- sel were very much darker than in any other specimen which we have in our collection. When angry, it emitted a sharp shrill cry, and snapped with all its might at the objects presented to it. It was very cleanly in its habits, never rendering its sleeping apartment disagreeable.

28th. Our Weasel got out of its cage by pushing the wires apart, passing through an aperture not exceeding five-eighths of an inch, as we suppose by putting its head diagonally through the bars. The door and windows of our room were closed, however, and, when we entered, our little fellow looked at us as if well acquainted, but soon ran behind a box. It devoured last night at least half a pound of beef, kept in the room for its day’s ration. We placed the cage, with the door open, on the floor, and by walking round the box that concealed it, the animal was induced to run towards the cage, and was again secured in it.

We have often observed this species whilst retreating ; if near its place of concealment, it does so backwards, and we observed the same movement when it passed from one section of its cage to the other, drag- ging its food and concealing it among the straw. While we were sitting at a distance from its retreat, it proceeded by leaps very swiftly to with- in two or three feet of us, when it suddenly threw itself round and re- treated backward, as mentioned before.

The purplish brown was now augmented on the thighs and shoulders to the knee joints, no white hairs remaining mixed with those that were coloured. Beneath the jaws, separate small brown spots appeared at equal distances, leaving an intermediate space of white, as was the case along the flanks. The root of the tail had acquired no farther change. Since last week our animal has diffused a very strong disagreeable odour, musky and fetid, which may be attributable to this being its breeding season ; we observed that the smell was more disagreeable in the mornings and evenings, than at mid-day.

April. — On paying our accustomed visit to our Weasel this evening, we found it dead, which put a stop to any further observation of its habits. Its measurements are as follows :

WHITE WEASEL.

65

Inchei.

From point of nose to end of tail, - - - - 10^

Tail (vertebrae), 5

Tail to end of hair, - 6

Height of ear, |

Breadth of ear, |

Fore claws and hind claws stretching out to the black hair of the tail, 14^

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

If, as we feel confident after having examined more than a hundred specimens from both continents, the American Ermine is identical with that of Europe, it will be found to have the widest range of any quadruped at present known. It exists in the colder portions of Asia, and in the temperate, as well as in all the Northern States of Europe. We have seen specimens from England and Scotland, from France, Germany, Switzer- land, Denmark, Sweden, and Russia.

In America, its geographical range is also very extensive. Dr. Dekav (see Fauna, N. Y., p. 37) supposes it to be a northern animal, found as far south as Pennsylvania. We agree with him in his supposition that it is a northern animal, as it is only found in the Southern States where the country is mountainous or considerably elevated. It exists in the polar re- gions of America as far north as Franklin, Parry, Richardson, Lyon and other explorers were able to penetrate. It is found in Nova Scotia and Canada, and in all the Eastern and Northern States. We observed it along the whole chain of mountains in Virginia and North Carolina. We obtained a specimen from Abbeville in South Carolina, from our friend Dr. Barrett, a close observer and a good naturalist ; and another from Mr. Fisher, from Orangeburg District. We have ascertained that it exists in the ' mountains of Georgia, where we are penning this article. We saw a specimen procured by Townsend in Oregon, and have heard of its existence in North California. It is, however, not found in the maritime districts of any of the Southern States, and in Carolina and Georgia does not approach within fifty miles of the seaboard; and even when it exists on the most elevated portions of country, it is, like the ruffed grouse in similar localities, a rare species.

general remarks.

Writers on Natural History, up to the time of Harlan, Godman and Richardson, without having instituted very close comparisons, considered VOL. H. — 9,

66

WHITE WEASEL.

the species existing in Asia, Europe and America, to be identical. At a somewhat later period, however, naturalists, discovering on patient and close investigation that nearly all our species of quadrupeds as well as birds differed from the closely allied species on the eastern continent, began to doubt the identity of the Ermine existing in Europe and Ameri- ca. We have been unable to ascertain whether these doubts origi- nated from any difference in specimens from these countries, or from a belief that so small an animal could scarcely be found on both con- tinents, and thus prove an exception to a general rule. We admit that were an animal restricted to the temperate climates on either continent, and not found in the polar regions, there would be a strong presump- tive argument against the identity of closely allied species existing in Europe and America. The Ermine of the eastern continent is known to exist where the two continents nearly approach each other, perhaps occasionally have been united by a solid bridge of ice, and probably may be so again during some of the coldest seasons of the polar winters and being capable of travelling on the snow, and resisting the severest cold, this animal is fully able to cross from one continent to the other, like the white bear, or Arctic fox, species which are admitted as identical on both continents. Our species, moreover, is known to exist equally far north, and has been traced nearer to the poles than even the musk-ox.

We observed, in the Museum of the Zoological Society, that the speci- men brought by Richardson was regarded as a new species by C. L, Bonaparte, Esq., (now Prince of Musignano.)

In the recent work of Dr. Dekay, we perceive it has been described as a new species, under the name of Putorius Noveboracensis. In a spirit of great fairness and candour, however, he states : “ I have never seen the true Ermine in its summer dress, and only know it from Pennant’s description : ears edged with white ; head, back, sides and legs, pale taw- ny brown ; under side of the body white ; lower part of the tail brown, end black.” The only point of difference, then, is in the ears edged with white. Pennant’s specimen unquestionably was obtained at the period of time when the animal had only partially changed colour, as in all these cases the specimens before us, both from Europe and America, have their ears edged with white. We have compared a great number of spe- cimens from both continents, and have several of each lying before us ; the edges of the ears in summer colour are all brown, and neither in size, den • tition, nor colour, can we observe a shade of difference.

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SCIURUS SUB-AUKATUS.— Baoh.

Orange - bellied Squirrel, — Golden - bellied Squirrel.

PLATE LVIII. — Male and Female

S. Magnitudine, S. migratorium superaens, S. Carolinensi cedens ; supra cinereus flavido-undutus, subtus saturate aureus, cauda corpora longiore.

CHARACTERS.

Size intermediate between the Northern gray and the little Carolina squirrel ; tail longer than the body ; colour, above, gray, with a wash of yel- low ; beneath, deep golden yellow.

SYNONYMS.

Golden-bellied Squirrel, Sciurus Sub-auratus. — Bachman, Mon. Genus Sciums,

p. 12.

DESCRIPTION.

In the two specimens now before us, which are very similar in size and markings, there is no appearance of the small anterior upper molar found in several other species of this genus. We conclude, therefore, that it either does not exist at all, or drops out at a very early period ; and accordingly set down this species as having only twenty teeth, viz. :

Incisive Canine--', Molar — =20.

The upper incisors are of moderate size ; their colour is deep orange brown ; the lower incisors are a little paler ; head, of medium size ; ears short and pointed, clothed with hair on both surfaces. The body seems more formed for sprightliness and agility than that of the small Caro- lina Squirrel, and in this respect comes nearest to the northern gray squir- rel. The tail is long, and nearly as broad as that of the last named species.

68

ORANGE-BELLIED SQUIRREL.

COLOUR.

The whole upper surface gray, with a distinct yellow wash. The hairs which give this outward appearance are grayish slate colour at their base, then broadly annulated with yellowish, then black, and near the tips annulated with yellowish- white ; sides of the face and neck, the whole of the inner side of the limbs, feet, and the under parts, deep golden yellow ; on the cheeks and sides of the neck, however, the hairs are obscurely annulated with black and whitish ; the ears are well clothed on both surfaces with tolerably long hair of the same deep golden hue as the sides of the face ; hairs of the feet mostly blackish at the root, some obscurely tipped with black ; hairs of the tail, black at the root, and the remaining portion bright rusty yellow ; each hair annulated with black three times ; the under surface of the tail is chiefly bright rusty yel- low ; whiskers, longer than the head, black.

DIMENSIONS.

Length of head and body,

“ of tail, (vertebrae,) - - - -

“ including fur,

“ of palm to end of middle fore-claw, -

“ of heel to point of middle nail, -

“ of fur on the back, - - - -

Height of ear posteriorly.

Breadth of tail with hair extended,

Weight lbs.

Inches. Lines. 10 6

9 2

12 0

1 7

2 7

0 7

0 5

8 6

HABITS.

During the winter season the city of New-Orleans is thronged by na tives of almost every land, and the Levee (which is an embankment ex- tending along the margin of the river) presents a scene so unlike any- thing American, that as we walk along its smooth surface we may ima- gine ourselves in some twenty different countries, as our eyes fall upon many a strange costume, whose wearer has come from afar, and is, like ourselves, perchance, intent on seeing the curiosities of this Salmagundi city. Here a Spanish gentleman from Cuba, or a Mexican, next a pirate or thief, perhaps, from the same countries ; all Europe is here represented, and the languages of many parts of the world can be heard whilst walk- ing even half a mile ; the descendants of Africa are here metamorphosed

ORANGE-BELLIED SQUIRREL.

69

into French folks, and the gay bandanna that turbans the heads of the co- loured women, is always adjusted with good taste, and is their favourite head-dress.

But the most interesting figures are the few straggling Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians, who bring a variety of game to the markets, and in their blankets, red flannel leggings, moccasins and bead finery, form a sort of dirty picturesque feature in the motley scene, and generally attract the artist’s eye : many of these Indians have well formed legs and bodies, and their half-covered shoulders display a strength and symmetry indica- ting almost a perfect development of the manly form — their sinews and muscles being as large as is compatible with activity and grace. Whilst conversing with one of these remnants of a once numerous race, it was our good fortune to see for the first time the singular and beau- tiful little Orange-bellied Squirrel which the Indian hunter had brought with him along with other animals for sale, having procured it in the recesses of the forest on the borders of an extensive swamp.

Rarely indeed does the Orange-bellied Squirrel leave its solitary haunts and quit the cypress or sweet-gum shades, except to feed upon pecan- nuts, berries, persimmons, or other delicacies growing in the uplands ; and it does not hoard up the small acorn from the swamp-oak until late in the autumn, knowing that the mild winters of Louisiana are seldom cold enough to prevent it from catching an unlucky beetle from time to time during the middle of the day, or interfere with searches for food among the dry leaves and decaying vegetable substances in the woods. Besides, early in the year the red-maple buds will afford a treat to which this little squirrel turns with as much eagerness as the horse that has been kept all winter upon hay and corn, dashes into a fine field of grass in the month of May.

The hole inhabited by the present species is generally in some tall tree growing in the swamp, and perhaps sixty or one hundred yards from the dry land, and the animal passes to it from tree to tree, or along some fallen monarch of the woods, over the shallow water,

keeping his large eye bent upon the surrounding lands in fear of some

enemy ; and, in faith, he runs no little risk, for should the red-shoul- dered hawk, or the sharped-shinned, dart upon him, he is an easy prey ; or, on a warm day, a snake, called the “ water moccasin,” curled up in his way, might swallow him, “tail and all.” But good fun it must be to see the sportsman following in pursuit, splashing and floundering

through the water, sometimes half-leg deep, and at others only up to

the ankles, but stumbling occasionally, and making the “ water fly

70

ORANGE-BELLIED SQUIRREL.

so that when he has a chance to pull trigger, he is certain to snap both barrels !

Of the breeding of this species we know nothing, nor can we say more of its habits, which are yet to be farther investigated.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

We have not heard of the occurrence of this species farther north than Louisiana, and think it probable its range will be found to ex- tend west and south of that state into Texas, and perhaps Mexico.

Plate' L'X

(5

n

PUTORIUS FEENATA.— Light.

Bridled Weasel.

PLATE LX. — Males.

P. magnitudine P. ermineae, supra fulvus, infra ex flavicante albus ; naso, dorso, majore capitis parte, auribusque nigris ; macula inter aures et vitta frontali albis.

CHARACTERS.

Size of the ermine ; nose, back part of the head, and ears, black ; a white spot between the ears, and a band over the forehead, white ; yellowish-brown above, yellowish-white beneath.

SYNONYMS.

Mustela Frenata, Lichtenstein. Darstellung neuer oder wenig bekannter Sauge- thiere XLII., Tafel. Berlin, 1827-1834.

DESCRIPTION.

This species in form bears a considerable resemblance to the Ermine of the more northern parts of America. It is however rather stouter, the neck shorter, the ears narrower and higher, and the tail a little longer. In its dentition it is also similar to the common weasel, being a true pu- torius, with thirty-four teeth, having only four molars on each side of the upper jaw, and five beneath, whilst the genus Mustela is characterized by having thirty-eight teeth, five on each side of the upper jaw, and six beneath. The ears and tail are clothed with hair, the fur is a little shorter and slightly coarser than that of the Ermine.

COLOUR.

Moustaches, ears on both surfaces, nose, and around the eyes, black ; a broad band of white rises in the forehead above the nose, extending around the head between the eyes and ears, reaching the neck and throat including the chin, the colours of which as well as the inner surfaces of the fore-legs are white ; there is also a white spot on the back of the head between the ears. The colour is dark brownish black from the

72

BRIDLED WEASEL.

neck, reaching the white band on the forehead, where the lines of sepa- ration are distinctly but irregularly preserved. On the under surface from the chest to the tail including the inner surface of the thighs, a light fawn colour ; tail, the colour of the back till within an inch of the tip, where it gradually darkens into black. The black at the end of the tail is not only shorter but less distinct than the corresponding parts on the ermine in summer colour.

The colour of the back and outer surfaces of the legs is light yel- lowish brown, gradually darkening on the neck till it reaches and blends with the dark brown colours on the hind head.

DIMENSIONS.

From point of nose to root of tail.

Tail (vertebrae), . . -

Do. to end of hair, - - -

Height of ear, ...

Breadth of skull, ...

From heel to end of longest nail,

HABITS.

We have personally no knowledge of the habits of this rare and com- paratively new species. The specimen from which Dr. Lichtenstein made his description and figure, was obtained by F. Deppe, Esq., in the \ icinity of the city of Mexico, where the animal was indiscriminately tailed Comadreja, Oronzito and Onzito. He was unable to collect any i.iformation in regard to its habits. The specimen from which our de- scription and figure were made, was captured by Mr. John K. Town- send. We conversed with an American officer, who informed us that he had occasionally seen it near Monterey in Mexico, that it there bore no better character than its congener the Ermine in the more northern parts of America ; that it was destructive to poultry and eggs, and very com- monly took up its residence in the outhouses on plantations, and under such circumstances was regarded as a great nuisance. Fortunately for them, the species was considered as quite rare in the northern parts of Mexico, as the Mexican who pointed out this animal to our officer stated, this was the first Comadreja he had seen in five years.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

As we have not heard of the existence of our Ermine in Mexico, wc are inclined to the belief that this species takes the place of the

Inches.

11

5

6

01

n

15

BRIDLED WEASEL.

73

Ermine in the South, and that with similar roving and predacious habits it has a more extended geographical range than is at present known. The field of natural history in Texas, California, and Mexico, has been as yet very imperfectly explored. We have only heard of the Bridled Weasel as being found in four widely separated localities — in Texas between the Colorado and Rio Grande, in Mexico in the vicini- ty of the capital, and in the northern parts near Monterey, and in the valleys of the mountains south-west of that city.

GENERAL REMARKS.

In comparing this singularly marked species with others from the Eastern and Western hemispheres, we have been struck with the uni- formity existing on both continents in the nearly equal distribution of predacious animals, and in their close resemblance to each other, in size, form and habits. The badger in Europe {Meles vulgaris) is in America replaced by M. Lahradoria. The European Otter {Lutra vul- garis) has its representative in America in our Canada otter {Lutra Canadensis). The Eui’opean mink (P. lutreola) is replaced by our near- ly similar (P. vison). The European ferret {P. furo) by our western black-footed ferret (P. nigripes). The ermine and common weasel of the north of Europe (P. erminea) and (P. vulgaris) by our ermine and brown weasel (P. erminea) and {P. fused) in the Northern and Middle States of America, and the Java ferret (P. nudipes) has its represent- ative near the tropics m America in our (P. frenata), nearly of the same size, and with similar habits. There is evidently great wisdom in this arrangement of Providence. Countries under similar latitudes producing large numbers of the smaller rodentia, require a certain num- ber of carnivorous animals to prevent their too rapid multiplication, which in the absence of such a provision of nature would be destructive of the interests of the husbandman.

YOL. II. — 1C

GENUS PROCYON.— Store.

DENTAL FORMULA.

Incisive - ; Canine ; Molar — = 40.

6 W 6-6

Muzzle, pointed and projecting beyond the lower jaw ; ears, short and oval ; tail, bushy, and long. Feet, five toed, with strong nails not retrac- tile ; soles of feet, (posterior,) naked ; the species rest on the heel, but walk on the toes. MammaB, six ventral ; there is a gland on each side of the anus which secretes a slightly offensive fluid.

The generic name is derived from the Greek before, and xt/<wv, a dog.

Two species only have been noticed : one in the northern, and the other in the southern parts of North America.

PROCYON LOTOR.— Liire^.

Raccoon.

PLATE LXI. — Male and Young.

P. corpore supra canescente plus minus in nigrum vergente, infra, au- riculis pedibusque albicantibus ; facie albida, fascia sub oculari obliqua nigra, cauda rufescente annulis 4-5 nigris.

CHARACTERS.

Body above, grayish mixed with black ; ears, and beneath, whitish ; a black patch across the eye. Tail with 4 or 5 annulations of black and gray.

SYNONYMES.

Arecon, Smith’s Voyages, xiii., p. 31.

Ursus Lotor, Linn., 12th ed., p. *70.

“ “ Erxleben, Syst., p. 165-4.

“ “ Schreher Saugth., p. 521, 5 t. 143.

Le Raton, Buffon, vol. -Nnii., p. p. 3-37, t. xliii.

On Slone by'W H Hilchcook

N"15

r

Plate LXl

Drawn from Kalure J V Audubcai

JAlh Prjnicd ^ Col^by J T Bowen, thil

1

RACCOON.

16

Raccoon Bear, Pennant’s Arct. Zool., vol. i., p. 69.

Procton Lotor, Cuv., Regne Animal, vol. i., p. 143.

Sabine, Journal, p. 649.

“ Harlan, p. 53.

“ Godman, vol. i., p. 53.

“ Dekay, Hew-York Fauna, p. 26.

Procton Nivea, Gray, Magazine of Nat. Hist., vol. i., 1837, p. 580.

description.

The body is rather stout, the legs of moderate length, and the appear- ance of the animal would indicate that although he is not intended for great speed, he is still by his compact and well organized structure his strong and muscular limbs and short and stout claws, capable of a tolera- bly rapid race, and is able to climb, although not with the agility of the squirrel, still with greater alacrity than his near relative the bear.

Head, rather round ; nose, tapering, sharp, and the snout moveable ; point of the nose, naked ; eyes, rouna, and of moderate size ; moustaches’ few, very rigid, resembling bristles, extending to the chin ; ears, low erect’ elliptical, with their tips much rounded, clothed with hair on both ’sides •’ on the inner surface the hairs are longer and less dense ; tail, of moderate length and bushy. In its feet the Raccoon is partially plantigrade, hence It was classed by Linnaeus among the bears, under the genus Ursus ; soles of feet, naked. When it sits, it often brings the whole hind sole to the ground, resting in the manner of the bear. The canine teeth are large and extend beyond the lips. The nails are strong, hooked and sharp not covered with hair. The body is densely clothed with two kinds of hair •

the outer and longer, long and coarse ; the inner, softer and more like’ wool.

COLOUR.

Point of nose, and soles of feet, black ; nails, dark brown ; moustaches nearly all white ; ears, lips, above the snout and chin, dingy white • above’ the eyes, and around the forehead, light gray. A dark brown patch ex- tends from each side of the neck and passes the eyes, over the nose nearly reaching the snout, and gradually fading on the forehead into the’ colours of the back ; eyes, black ; the longer hairs on the back are dark brown at the roots, then yellowish-white for half their length, and are broadly tipped with black ; the softer fur beneath, pale brown throughout the whole body; on the sides and belly, the longer hairs are dingy white from the roots ; the tail has about six distinct black rings, and is tipped

with black; these rings alternate with five light yellowish-brown an- nulations.

76

RACCOON.

DIMENSIONS.

Old male, received from Dr. John Wright.

Nose to anterior canthus,

“ “ corner of mouth,

“ “ root of ear, . - - ,

“ “ “ of tail, . . . .

Tail, (vertebrae), - - - -

“ to end of hair, - - - .

Length of head, - . . .

Breadth of head, . . . .

Weight, 22 lbs.

Inches.

If

7f

26i

8

7i

4^

^8

HABITS.

The Raccoon is a cunning animal, is easily tamed, and makes a plea- sant monkey-like pet. It is quite dexterous in the use of its fore-feet, and will amble after its master in the manner of a bear, and even follow him into the streets. It is fond of eggs, and devours them raw or cooked with avidity, but prefers them raw of course, and if it finds a nest will feast on them morning, noon and night without being satiated. It will adroitly pick its keeper’s pockets of anything it likes to eat, and is always on the watch for dainties. The habits of the muscles (unios) that inhabit our fresh water rivers are better known to the Raccoon than to most conchol- ogists, and their flavour is as highly relished by this animal as is that of the best bowl of clam soup by the epicure in that condiment.

Being an expert climber, the Raccoon ascends trees with facility and frequently invades the nest of the woodpecker, although it may be secure against ordinary thieves, by means of his fore-feet getting hold of the eggs or the young birds. He watches too the soft-shelled turtle when she is about to deposit her eggs, for which purpose she leaves the water and crawling on to the white sand-bar, digs a hole and places them under- neath the heated surface. Quickly does the rogue dig up the elastic ova, although ever so carefully covered, and appropriate them to his own use, notwithstanding the efforts of the luckless turtle to conceal them.

Sometimes, by the margin of a pond, shrouded, or crouched among tall reeds and grasses, Grimalkin-like, the Raccoon lies still as death, waiting with patience for some ill-fated duck that may come within his reach. No negro on a plantation knows with more accuracy when the corn (maize) is juicy and ready for the connoisseur in roasting ears, and he does not require the aid of fire to improve its flavour, but attacks it more

RACCOON. 77

voraciously than the squirrel or the blackbird, and is the last to quit the cornfield.

The favourite resorts of the Raccoon are retired swampy lands well covered with lofty trees, and through which are small water-courses. In such places its tracks may be seen following the margins of the bayous and creeks, which it occasionally crosses in search of frogs and muscles which are found on their banks. It also follows the margins of rivers for the same purpose, and is dexterous in getting at the shell-fish, notwith- standing the hardness of the siliceous covering with which nature has provided them. In dry seasons, the receding waters sometimes leave the muscles exposed to the heat of the sun, which destroys their life and causes their shells to open, leaving them accessible to the first animal or bird that approaches.

In the dreary months of winter should you be encamped in any of the great Western forests, obliged by the pitiless storm to remain for some days, as we have been, you will not be unthankful if you have a fat Raccoon suspended on a tree above your camp, for when kept awhile, the flesh of this species is both tender and well-flavoured.

The Raccoon when full grown and in good condition we consider quite a handsome animal. We have often watched him with interest, cau- tiously moving from one trunk to another to escape his view. His bright eye, however, almost invariably detected us ere we could take aim at him, and he adroitly fled into a hollow tree and escaped from us.

We once met with one of these animals whilst we were travelling on horseback from Henderson to Vincennes, on the edge of a large prairie in a copse, and on approaching it ran up a small sapling from which we shook it off with ease ; but as soon as it reached the ground it opened its mouth and made directly towards us, and looked so fierce, that drawing a pistol from our holsters, we shot it dead when it was only a few feet from us.

The young are at their birth quite small ; (about the size of a half- grown rat ;) some that we saw in Texas were not more than two days old and were kept in a barrel. They uttered a plaintive cry not unlike the wail of an infant.

The Raccoon usually produces from four to six young at a time, which are generally brought forth early in May, although the period of their littering varies in different latitudes.

When the Indian corn is ripening, the Raccoons invade the fields to feast on the rich milky grain, as we have just stated, and as the stalks are too weak to bear the weight of these marauders, they generally break them down with their fore-paws, tear off the husks from the ears, and

78

RACCOON.

then munch them at their leisure. During this inviting season, the Raccoon is not the only trespasser on the corn fields, but various animals are attracted thither to receive their portion, and even the merry school- boy shares the feast with them, at the risk of paying for his indulgence by incurring the necessity of a physician’s prescription the next day. The havoc committed in the Western States by squirrels and other animals is almost incalculable, and no vigilance of the farmer can guard against the depredations of these hungry intruders, which extend from farm to farm, and even penetrate to those embosomed in the forests, where settle- ments are few and far between.

The Raccoon is not strictly a nocturnal animal ; and although it gene- rally visits the corn fields at night, sometimes feeds on the green corn during the day ; we have seen it thus employed during the heat of sum- mer, and it will occasionally enter a poultry house at mid-day, and destroy many of the feathered inhabitants, contenting itself with the head and blood of the fowls it kills.

The nest or lair of the Raccoon is usually made in the hollow of some broken branch of a tree. When tamed, these animals are seldom induced to lie or sleep on a layer of straw.

There exists a species of oyster in the Southern States of inferior quality which bears the name of Raccoon Oyster : it lies imbedded in masses in the shallow waters of the rivers. These oysters are covered by high tides, but are exposed at low water. On these the Raccoons are fond of feeding, and we have on several occasions seen them on the oyster banks. We have however never had an opportunity of ascertaining by personal observation the accuracy of a statement which we have fre- quently heard made with great confidence, viz., that the Raccoon at low tide in endeavouring to extricate these oysters from the shell, is occasion- ally caught by the foot in consequence of the closing of the valve of the shell fish, when numbers of these being clustered and imbedded together, the Raccoon cannot drag them from their bed, and the returning tide drowns him.

The naturalist has many difficulties to encounter when inquiring into facts connected with his pursuit : every one acquainted with the habits of even our common species must know, that the information gained from most of those who reside near their localities, from their want of particular observation, is generally very limited, and probably the most interesting knowledge gained by such queries, would be the result of a comparison of the accounts given at different places. From the Alle- ghany mountains, the swamps of Louisiana, and the marshes of Carolina,

RACCOON. 79

we have received nearly the same history of the cunning manoeuvres and sly tricks of the. Raccoon in procuring food.

We add the following notes on a Raccoon kept for a considerable time in a tame state or partially domesticated.

When it first came into our possession it was about one-third grown. By kind treatment it soon became very docile, but from its well known mischievous propensities we always kept it chained.

It was truly omnivorous : never refusing any thing eatable, vegetable or animal, cooked or uncooked, all was devoured with equal avidity. Of some articles however it seemed particularly fond : as sugar, honey, chest- nuts, fish and poultry. The animal would become almost frantic when either of the two first was placed near it, but beyond its reach. No means would be left untried to obtain the dainty morsel. It would rush forward as far as the chain permitted, and stretch out a fore-paw toward the object of its wishes to its utmost extent, which failing to reach it, the other was extended ; again disappointed, the hind limbs were tried in suc- cession, by which there was a nearer approach to the food, on account of the animal being chained by the neck.

On being offered food when hungry, or roused up suddenly from any cause, or when in active play, the eye was of a lustrous green, changing apparently the whole countenance.

It had a strong propensity to roll food and other things under its paws ; isegars in particular, especially when lighted. We have observed a simi- lar propensity in young bears.

On placing a pail of water within its reach, it ran to it, and after drink- ing would examine the contents to the bottom with the fore-paws, seeming- ly expecting to find some fish or frog. If any thing was found it was speedily brought to the surface and scrutinized. We have seen it throw chips, bits of china and pebbles, &c., into the pail, and then fish them out for amusement, but never saw it put a particle of its food in to soak, ex- cept in a few instances when it threw in hard corn, but we do not think it was for this purpose.

After playing for a short time in the water it would commonly urinate in It and then upset the pail.

We gave it a fish weighing two pounds. The Raccoon turned it in all di- rections in search of a convenient point of attack. The mouth, nose, fins, vent, &c., were tried. At length an opening was made at the vent, into which a paw was deeply inserted ; the intestines were withdrawn and eaten with avidity. At the same time an attempt was made to insert the other paw into the mouth of the fish to meet its fellow. This disposition to use the paws in concert, was shown in almost every action, sometimes in a very ludicrous

80

RACCOON.

manner. On giving the animal a jug, one paw would be inserted in the aper- ture, and a hundred twists and turns would be made to join its fellow on the outside.

After devouring as much of the fish as it wished, it placed the paws on the remainder and lay down to doze, until hunger returned, watching the favourite food, and growling at any animal which happened to pass near it. By degrees this propensity to defend its food passed olf, and it would al- low the dog or fox to partake of it freely. We placed a half-grown fox within its reach : the Raccoon instantly grasped it with its legs and paws and commenced a close examination. It thrust its pointed nose in the ear of the fox to the very bottom, smelling and snuffing as if determined to find out the nature of the animal. During this time it showed no dispo- sition to injure the fox.

The Raccoon can scent an object for some distance with accuracy. We suffered ours to go loose on one occasion, when it made directly for some small marmots confined in a cage in another room.

Our pet Raccoon whose habits we are relating evinced a singular pro- pensity to listen to things at a distance, however many persons were around him, even though he might be at the moment eating a frog, of which food he was very fond. He would apparentl}'" hear some distant noise, then raise his head and continue listening, seeming every moment more ab- sorbed ; at last he would suddenly run and hide himself in his burrow. This seems to be connected with some instinct of the animal in his wild state, probably whilst sitting on a tree sunning himself, when he is in the liabit of listening to hear the approach of an enemy, and then hurrying to his hole in the tree.

Enjoying the hospitality of a friend one night at his plantation, the con- versation turned on the habits of animals : and in speaking of the Raccoon he mentioned that it fed on birds and rabbits generally, but in winter robbed the poultry houses. The negroes on his plantation he said kept good dogs, and relied on them for hunting the Raccoon.

Whenever a Raccoon was about to attack the poultry house, the dogs scenting him give a shrill cry, which is the signal for his owner to com- mence the hunt. He comes out armed with an axe, with a companion or two, resolved on a Raccoon hunt. The dog soon gives chase with such rapidity, that the Raccoon, hard pressed, takes to a tree. The dog, close at his heels, changes his whining cry while running to a shrill short sharp bark. If the tree is small or has limbs near the ground so that it can be easily ascended, the eager hunters climb up after the “ coon.” He per- ceives his danger, endeavours to avoid his pursuers by ascending to the far- thest topmost branch, or the extremity of a limb ; but all his efforts are in vain, his relentless pursuers shake the limb until he is compelled to let go his

RACCOON.

81

hold, and he comes toppling heavily to the ground, and is instantly seized by the dogs. It frequently happens however that the trees are tall and destitute of lower branches so that they cannot be climbed without the risk oi' life or limb. The negroes survey for a few moments in the bright moon- light the tall and formidable tree that shelters the coon, grumble a little at the beast for not having saved them trouble by mounting an easier tree, and then the ringing of their axes resounds through the still woods, awakening echoes of the solitude previously disturbed only by the hooting of the owl, or the impatient barking of the dogs. In half an hour the tree, is brought to the ground and with it the Raccoon, stunned by the fall : his foes give him no time to define his position, and after a short and bloody contest with the dogs, he is despatched, and the sable hunters remunerated, — for his skin they will sell to the hatters in the nearest town, and his fiesh they will hang up in a tree to freeze and furnish them with many a savoury meal.

The greatest number of Raccoons, however, are killed by log-traps set with a figure of 4 trigger, and baited with a bird or squirrel, an ear of corn, or a fish : either the appetite or curiosity of these animals will entice them into a trap or entangle them in a snare.

Another mode of destroying this species is by fire-hunting, which requires good shooting, as the animal only shows one eye from behind the branch of a tree, which refiecting the light of the fire-hunter’s torch, shines like a ball of phosphorus, and is generally knocked out at twenty-five or thirty yards by a good marksman.

The Raccoon, like the bear, hibernates for several months during winter in the latitude of New-York, and only occasionally and in a warm day leaves its retreat, which is found in the hollow of some large tree. We once how- ever tracked in deep snow the footsteps of a pair of this species in the northern parts of New-York, and obtained them by having the tree in which they lay concealed cut down. They had made a circle in company of about a mile, and then returned to their winter domicil.

The specimen from which the large figure on our plate was taken was a remarkably fine male, and was sent to us alive by our friend, the late Dr. John Wright of Troy, New-York.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

The Raccoon has a very extensive geographical range. Captain Cook saw skins at Nootka Sound which were supposed to be those of the Raccoon. Dixon and Pari.tock obtained Raccoon skins from the natives of Cook’s River in latitude 60°. It is supposed by Richardson that this animal extends

82

RACCOON.

farther north on the shores of the Pacific, than it does on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains. He farther states, that the Hudson’s Bay Com- pany procured about one hundred skins from the southern parts of the fur districts as far north as Red River, latitude 50°. We have not been able to trace it on the Atlantic coast farther north than Newfoundland. It is found in the Eastern, Northern and Middle States, and seems to become more abundant as we proceed southwardly. In some of the older States its num- bers have greatly diminished, in consequence of the clearing of the forests, and the incessant wars waged against it by the hunters. In South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, it is still found in great num- bers, is regarded as a nuisance to the corn fields, and is at particular sea- sons hunted at night by sportsmen and negroes. We have been informed by our friend Daniel Morrison, Esq., of Madison Springs in Georgia, that in his frequent visits to Arkansas between the Washita and Red Rivers, the Raccoons are very plentiful and are frequently seen travelling about in open day, and that many corn fields are nearly destroyed by the Raccoon and the bear.

It was seen by Lewis and Clark at the mouth of the Columbia river. We possess several specimens obtained in Texas, and were informed by a friend, that although he had not seen it in California, he had heard of its existence in the northern parts of that State.

GENERAL REMARKS.

As might be expected, an occasional variety is found in this species.

We possess a specimen nearly black ; another yellowish white,