330 Notes on a Collection of Mammals. [ZOE 
35. Sorexsp.? Shrew. 
No doubt several species of shrews inhabit the Sierra 
- Nevada Mountains. ‘Tracks of a large species was seen about a 
marshy lake on Mount Tallac on August 3. 
36. Ursus americanus Pallas. Black Bear. 
Bears are common in places in the mountains from the Sac- 
ramento plains to the timber line. About the Sequoia grove, in 
southern Placer County, several individuals must have had their 
dens, for there were numerous fresh tracks and torn bark on the 
t:ee trunks. This bear has the local names of ‘‘ brown bear” 
and ‘‘cinnamon bear” among hunters and miners. 
37- Ursus horribilis Ord. Grizzly Bear. 
At one time this was the most conspicuous bear in the moun. 
tains, and many wild tales are told of it by the early miners. 
Now, however, very few remain, and these have retreated into 
the wildest and most inaccessible places. From the reports of 
trappers there is reason to believe a few still exist on the 
‘western slopes of Pyramid Peak. 
38. Procyon lotor (Linne). Raccoon. 
This animal is abundant from the Sacramento up to at least 
4500 feet. Its tracks were seen about a spring near Red Point, 
in June. 
39: Bassariscus astuta (Lich.) Ring-tailed Cat. 
This animal is common in the mountains up to 4000 feet or 
higher. The miners frequently tame them for pets. 
40. Lutra canadensis (Turton). American Otter. 
A single specimen was captured by Mr. Dent during the 
winter of 1891-92 on the South Fork of the American River, in 
El DoradoCounty. This animal is exceedingly rare; during ten 
years’ trapping he had seen only five specimens. 
41. Mephitis mephitica (Shaw). Common Skunk. 
Skunks are common in the lower altitudes of the Sierra 
Nevada Mountains. 
42. Spelogale phenax Merr. Little Stupid Skunk. 
A single specimen was killed by a rancher on the lower 
Forest Hill Divide. 
43- Taxidea americana (Bod’t). Badger. 
