10 CALIFORNIA MAMMALiS. 



This book is little more than a mere dry skeleton; if it aids 

 the student in finding out for himself or herself some portions of 

 the life histories of our mammals I shall be pleased. I have 

 labored under the disadvantage of being out of reach of good 

 reference libraries. Nearly all the v^orkers in this field have 

 sent me copies of their papers as soon as published ; without this 

 help this volume would have been of little real value. I have 

 made free use of all such papers, but to save space I have seldom 

 given the authority for statements made. In. many cases the 

 facts have been condensed from several authorities into the brief- 

 est possible statement. 1 would like to aclcnow ledge by name the 

 aid received through this and other sources but the number is 

 very great and to mention but part would be unfair to the re- 

 mainder. The list would include the name of practically every 

 one who has done field work among the mammals of California, 

 or has written on material coming from this State; hence this 

 volume is really a compilation of all the work done on Calif ornian 

 Mammals, and each author or collector may consider that he has 

 a share in whatever merit it may possess. 



