236 TelloW'IIaired Porcupine, [zok 



that flight is the common resort in the moment of danger. The 

 varying elements of cunning, strategy, deception and mimicry, in 

 pursuer and pursued, all play their parts in the vast game of nat- 

 ure, and to these some species add a powerful mal-odor or the 

 poison of bite or sting. 



Among mammals the porcupine exhibits one of the most unique 

 modes of defense, relying almost entirely upon its bristling, spiny 

 quills to ward off its enemies, and in this it has been so successful, 

 for many generations, that whatever courage or fleetness of foot it 

 may once have possessed has relapsed into insignificance. The 

 old legend of the porcupine flinging its tail at its enemies Is, at least 

 as far as this species is concerned, a myth. When surprised, it 

 makes no effort to retreat — its gait being an awkward wabble it 

 would be easily overtaken— but drawing the feet and head under 

 its body, it squats closely to the ground, with quills erect, defying 

 attacks from every direction. Should the pursuer be a dog, and the 

 occasion his first experience with this peculiar animal, he will gen- 

 erally rush on to the combat with the impetuous courage (?) so 

 characteristic of canines when the victim is undersized or somewhat 

 defenseless; however, one grab will suffice, and a howl of pain from 

 a disgusted dog with his mouth sticking full of quills, is the invari- 

 able result. A more discreet dog, or one that has learned wisdom 

 from previous encounters, may fare a trifle better; but It being a 

 matter of habit with him to investigate objects that excite his curi- 

 osity, by the sense of smell, even he will be required to pay a pain- 

 ful penalty. Finding that barking at the animal or running around 

 It has no effbct, he ventures nearer and smells of the squatting 

 lump, when the latter suddenly rises and leaves a number of 

 quills sticking in the nose of the surprised dog. If tormented with 

 the end of a stick or gun It will resent the attack in the same man- 

 ner, always trying to drive its quills into the aggressor by an upward 

 motion toward the same. This demonstration may be directed 

 vertically or towards one side or another, according to the point 

 from which the attack came, and may be repeated two or three 

 times m rapid succession. 



The coyote, having had years of experience in this kind of war- 

 lare, has developed sufficient sense to avoid such impulsive conduct 

 towards the, to him, familiar porcupines. However, having a keen 

 rehsh for the fat, savory rodents, their capture is managed by a less 



