434 Life-histories of Northern Animals 



mother quail with a large brood. They scattered and hid 

 at her order and she tried to lead him away, but he stood still, 

 and at length found two sitting on the bare ground before him. 

 He picked one up; it struggled for a time, but became quiet in 

 his hand. He waited half an hour. The mother had flown 

 away down the valley and now came cautiously back. He was 

 quite still. The mother gave a low call once or twice, then 

 gradually the young reappeared and heads popped up here 

 and there from the leaves, and soon they all ran to her, and 

 were led away. When she was out of sight he quietly set 

 down the one he had in his hand. It ran after the mother, 

 but he moved slightly and this scared the chick. It scrambled 

 up a bank, found a Ground-hog's hole and ran in there. A 

 moment later the Ground-hog came out licking his lips and 

 looking for the rest of the quail. 



This incident is not conclusive, but is suspicious. We 

 must, however, admit that it is unfair in any case to judge of 

 a race by its degenerates. 



usETo The flesh of the Woodchuck is excellent eating if properly 



prepared. Its pelt is not to be desired as fur, but the leather 

 and the skin are in demand for mit-facings and whip-lashes. 



In boyhood days we used to prepare the leather thus: 

 Wrap up the raw, fresh pelt with plenty of hardwood ashes on 

 its flesh side. After two or three days the hair slips off, or can 

 be scraped off. Soak the skin then for a week in soft soap, and 

 work thoroughly till it dries soft. Failing the soap, a strong 

 brine of salt and alum will serve. 



When Woodchucks are over-numerous they become a 

 nuisance, not only by destroying the crops near their dens, but 

 by digging holes that endanger the legs of the horses and 

 necks of the riders. In such cases a skilful trapper can soon 

 thin them out, or an expert rifleman may clear the farm in a 

 week of two; or finally — and most drastic — by putting the poi- 

 sonous bisulphide gas down each den, one can mercifully and 

 effectually, send the occupants to a sleep from which they do 



MAN 



