APPRAISAL OF THE VARIOUS SPECIES 341 



Weasel 



Included in the material examined were stomachs of both the New York and Bonaparte 

 weasels but the number is insufficient to warrant separate treatment. There seems to be very 

 little difference in the food habits of the two species, however. Mice were by far the most 

 frequently taken items followed by shrews which occurred more often than rabbits. Grouse 

 remains were not found althoufih the records of the Investigation show this animal to be one 

 of the important predators of this game bird, particularly during the nesting season. 



Skunk 



Although the number of specimens examined has not been large all seasons of the year are 

 well represented in the group. Insects were found more frequently than other types of food. 

 At the same time rabbits and mice were taken by over a quarter of the animals and probably 

 constituted a greater bulk. Fruits also were taken in season. Of the 77 stomachs holding 

 food, four (all from the winter and spring) contained grouse remains — a finding which it 

 is difficult to interpret since the skunk has appeared to be only a negligible predator of adult 

 birds. In any case this is not an important source of food. That insects, fruits and small 

 rodents constitute the ])rincipal diet of this animal is also evident in the data of Lantz"" 

 and Hamilton"*. 



Raccoon 



The 'coon too feeds to a large extent on small rodents although considerable quantities of 

 insects, fruits and grain are consumed when available. Of the 31 stomachs containing food 

 seven held rabbit. Shrews and red squirrels were also taken. Grouse occurred once — a chick 

 taken in August — and other birds not at all. Mice were not found either although Hamil- 

 ton"' identified them in 17.4 per cent of the specimens he examined from the State. 



Mink 



Only eight of the 12 mink received held food. In one was found the remains of a mouse 

 and in three muskrat hair while five contained miscellaneous items including a crayfish. 



House Cat 



Over three-quarters of the cats examined had fed on small mammals. Mice had been taken 

 most frequently followed by rabbits, shrews and the Norwav rat. Also identified was a weasel. 

 Birds were found in 2^ per cent of the material. Grouse, however, were not represented. 



Great Horned Owl 



In addition to the 115 stomachs of this owl a total of 1,517 pellets have been gathered 

 from the southern part of the State, primarily Connecticut Hill. The species has not been 

 observed on the Adirondack study area. The analyses of this material are summarized in table 

 45 in the same manner as the fox droppings were handled. 



Like the fox, this species relies chiefly on rabbits and mice for its sustenance. The rela- 

 tive importance of the various species is about the same although the wood mice, especially 

 the deer mouse, rank somewhat higher. Shrews also are mcjre frequently eaten. 



Among the other mammals red squirrels and chipmunks have been taken oftenest during 

 most years. In 1935-36. however, as with the fox. the greater availability of gray squirrels 

 was reflected in the owl's diet. But even more interesting was a very much higher incidence 

 of flying squirrels in this year suggesting that they too may have reached a peak of abun- 



