146 



warning him to "keep off the grass" is the Ruffed 

 Grouse or Pheasant, and, uufoituuately, the favorite 

 liaunis O'l' this noble game bird are in localities where 

 the Wildcat loves to sneak, hide aud depredate. Tlie 

 cautious and ravenous "cat" is passionately' fond of 

 Grouse. He destroys theui, both old and young, and 

 also their eggs whenever an opportunity presents itself. 

 He kills Wild Turkeys and sucks their eggs, it is 

 affirmed, whenever a nest can be f(mnd. The number 

 of small insectivorous and wild song birds, that nest on 

 the ground or iu low bushes, which he destroys during 

 the summer season, about the slashings and abandoned 

 lumber camps, is considerable. 



M.'MVIMALS, KUGS. ETC.. ARE DEVOURED. 



Rabbits, Squirrels, Mice and Hkunks are also eaten 

 by Wildcats, and in liie southern States Audubon says 

 they visit stmietimes 



"The dry beds of streams or bruoks to pick up the catfish, 

 etc., or crayfish and frogs that remain In the deep holes of the 

 creeks during the drought of summer." The same authority 

 states that "the wildcat Is a great destroyer of eggs, and 

 nev«r Hnds a nest of Grouse or Partridge, Wild Turkey or 

 other bird without sucking every egg In It." 



HUNTS THE QIJILT^FUL PORCUPINE. 



About ten years ago I spent ten days or two weeks in 

 the winter in company with two hunters and trappers 

 in Cameron and Elk counties. We secured nine Wild 

 cats; two with guns, the remainder with steel traps, 

 and on examining these animals I found that three of 

 them were well filled with quills of the Porcupine. 

 This led me to infer that the Wildcat does not hesitate 

 to attack an aniinal capable of making ;i pretty vigor 

 ous defense. 



