330 Notes on a Collection of Mammals. [zoe 



35. Sorexs'^.'^ 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 aniericanus 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 

 tjee trunks. This bear has the local names of "brown bear" 

 and •' cinnamon bear " among hunters and miners. 



37. Ursus Jiorribilis 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 plades. From the reports of 

 trappers there is reason to believe a few still exist on the 

 western slopes of Pyramid Peak. 



38. Procyon lotor (lyinne). 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 

 Kl Dorado County. This animal is exceedingly rare; during ten 

 years' trapping he had seen only five specimens. 



41. Mephitis niephitica (Shaw). Common Skunk. 

 Skunks are common in the lower altitudes of the Sierra 



Nevada Mountains, 



42. Spilogale phenax M.ttx. Little Stupid Skunk. 



A single specimen was killed by a rancher on the lower 

 Forest Hill Divide. 



43. Taxidea americana (Bod't). Badger. 



