MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. 141 
leans against an adjacent tree and, holding the food between 
the hind paws, helps himself with the hands in a most busi- 
ness-like manner. A decided preference is shown for sweet 
food and corn bread is much preferred to wheaten. Potatoes 
when cooked are eaten with reluctance, but are skillfully 
pealed and broken into morsels without the assistance of the 
teeth. Green corn is disposed of with an instinctive and ac- 
complished ease. Eggs are devoured with an eagerness ap- 
proaching excitement. A slight crack is made with the teeth 
which is enlarged at one point with the claws and the contents 
lapped up as they exude. A boiled egg is a conundrum not 
readily solved and only understood when the yelk is reached. 
A. pet raccoon was chained in my doorway for weeks till the 
neighboring chickens lost all fear of the intruder and partook 
freely of the crumbs which fell from his table. Only after 

Fia. 11.—The Raccoon at Dinner. 
