In recording a situation in which a Mammal is 

 observed, the student should list all of the factors that 

 appear in the environment. The Place, County, State 

 and Date, should always be recorded in a Field note- 

 book under the name of the Mammal. The field notes 

 should always indicate whether the animal, its burrow, 

 or its tracks, were observed in the woods, in the thick 

 growth along a fence, or in an open field. The nature 

 of the vegetation should also be noted and records 

 should indicate: grass, low shrubs, trees, ferns, culti- 

 vated plants, field crops, moss, etc. The character of 

 the soil, whether moist or dry and whether clay, sand, 

 loam, humus, or rocky, should be listed. 



Inasmuch as the topographical features effect the 

 distribution of many animals, the record should state 

 whether the land is high or low, and the exact eleva- 

 tion should be given when possible. The field record 

 should also specifically state whether the animal was 

 observed on a hillside, in a valley, or on a level plain. 

 Since many forms prefer the woodland, it would be 

 well to state whether the animal was seen in the shade 

 or in the open. Specific localities such as: along a 

 stream, in a hollow tree, in a cave, etc., should always 

 be included. The record should further indicate the 

 activities of the animal such as: swimming, walking 

 or running, burrowing, or flying. Any observations as 

 to solitary or gregarious habits should be carefully 

 noted. 



The Defenses of Mammals 

 It is well, in studying any animal, to consider its 

 means of self defense. Reference has already been 

 made to the part that color plays in animal defense. In 



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