366 On the Canada Porcwpine, 



acquainted with these animals will seldom miss finding them 

 when the snow is on the ground. If he can hit upon the rinding 

 of that winter, by making a circuit around the barked trees, he 

 will soon come on his track, unless a very deep snow should have 

 chanced to fall after his last ascent. Having discovered that, he 

 will not be long ere he find the animal." 



In reference to the manner in which the porcupine defends itself 

 with its quills, the same writer says : — " It is a received opinion 

 that a porcupine can dart his quills at pleasure into a distant 

 object ; but I venture to affirm that this species cannot, (whatever 

 any other may do,) for I have taken much pains to discover this 

 fact. On the approach of danger he retreats to a hole, if possible ; 

 but where he cannot find one he seizes upon the best shelter that 

 ofters, sinks his nose between the forelegs, and defends himself by 

 a sharp stroke of his tail or a sudden jerk of his back. As the 

 quills are bearded at their points, and not deeply rooted in the 

 skin, they stick firmly into whatever they penetrate ; great care 

 should be taken to extract them immediately, otherwise, by the 

 muscular motion of the animal into which they are stuck, enforced 

 by the beards of the quills, they soon work themselves quite 

 through the part ; but I never perceived the puncture attended 

 with any worse symptoms than that of a chirurgical instrument." 



A pet porcupine kept by Audubon " was occasionally let out of 

 its cage to enjoy the benefit of a promenade in the garden. It had 

 become very gentle, and evinced no spiteful propensities ; and 

 when its master called it, holding out at the time a sweet potatoe 

 or apple, it would turn its head slowly towards him with a mild 

 and wistful look, and then with a stately step advance and take 

 the fruit from his hand. It then assumed an upright position, and 

 conveyed the potatoe or apple to its mouth with its paws. When 

 plagued it never evinced any spirit of resentment ; but if a dog 

 made his appearance, then in a moment it was armed at all points 

 in defence. It would bend its nose downwards, erect its bristles, 

 and, by a threatening sideway movement of the tail, give evidence 

 that it was ready for the attack." 



*' A large, ferocious and exceedingly troublesome mastiff, 

 belonging to the neighbourhood, had been in the habit of digging 

 a hole under the fence and entering the garden. Early one morn- 

 ing he was observed making a dash at some object in the corner 

 of the fence, which proved to be the porcupine, which had made 

 its escape from the cage during the night. The dog seemed 



