PREFACE. 
The mammals of any region are fewer in number of species 
than any of the other groups of vertebrates, except the Ba- 
trachia, which, however, are usually associated familiarly with 
the reptiles. The apparent scarcity of mammals is moreover 
exaggerated by their nocturnal habits and ability in concealing 
themselves, and in the course of an ordinary walk one usually 
sees only a few species, such as squirrels and rabbits. 
Many of the larger species have been exterminated years ago, 
being either predatory or valuable for food and fur, and the 
preservation of the remaining animals of the latter class can 
only be accomplished by the support of the general public in 
enforcing the wise game laws that the Legislature has passed. 
Owing to the small number of species and the similarity of 
the New Jersey mammals to those of other eastern states com- 
paratively little has been published upon them until quite recently. 
The principal papers on the subject are as follows: 
BrEsLEY, THomas. List of the Larger Wild Animals of the County of 
Cape May. <(Geology of the County of Cape May, State of New Jersey, 
Trenton, 1857, p. 137. 
A list of 18 species, with very brief annotations. 
Appott, CHARLES C. Catalogue of Vertebrate Animals of New Jersey. 
<Appendix FE., Geology of New Jersey; George H. Cook, Newark, 1868, 
Mammals, pp. 751-760. 
A fully annotated list of 47 species. 
Axspott, CHARLES C. A Naturalist’s Rambles about Home, New York, 1885. 
<Appendix, List of Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Batrachians and Fishes of 
Mercer County, New Jersey, Mammals, pp. 447-451. 
Notes on 26 species. 
NELson, Juttus. Descriptive Catalogue of the Vertebrates of New Jersey. 
(A revision of Dr. Abbott’s Catalogue of 1868.) <Final Report of the State 
Zoodlogist, Vol. II, Pt. II, Trenton, 1890, Mammals, pp. 494-518. 
A list of 62 species, with descriptions and notes compiled from 
various sources. Some of the species are admittedly unknown 
(35) 
