THE DISTRIBUTION OF CERTAIN WISCONSIN 



MAMMALS. 



By Hartley H. T. Jackson. 



Since the publication of my ''Preliminary List of Wisconsin 

 Mammals" (Bui. Wis. Nat. Hist. Soc. Vol. VI, pp. 13-34. 1908) 

 I have done very little mammalogical field-work, but while acting 

 in the capacity of field icthyologist for the Wisconsin Geological 

 and Natural History Survey opportunity was offered for learning 

 much concerning the distribution of several of our mammals. It 

 seems advisable to publish these observations at the present time. 

 Altho very few specimens were preserved, I think that mammal- 

 ogists will not question my determination of species in the field ; 

 no species are here recorded unless personally I feel positive of 

 the identification. 



Odocoileus virginianus borealis (Miller). 

 Northern Deer. 



In many sections of the northern part of the state deer seem 

 to be increasing in numbers. This is a direct result of deforesta- 

 tion. As the coniferous forests are cut away the "slashings" be- 

 gin to support a dense second growth of deciduous trees such as 

 birch, poplar, maple, etc.. and in many places forage plants grow 

 luxuriantly ; thus food and protective covering are both increased. 

 Deer were reported as becoming more numerous in parts of all 

 the northern tier of counties. 



Deer have become quite abundant in the hilly regions of Sauk 

 County; so much so that during the early autumn of 1909 far- 

 mers frequently complained about the damage they did to growing 

 crops. September 19, 1909, I saw a doe on the bluffs a mile west 

 of Devils Lake ; tracks of others were discernable also. 



Sciurus carolinensis leucotis (Gapper). 



Northern Gray Squirrel. 



This species was seen near Grant River a few miles east of 

 Cassville, near Little Jordan Creek in Green County and at Green 

 Lake. 



86 



