47S 



coouficqiK'Utly feeds on the ejrgs uf diftVifUt si)L'cies of 

 birds. He is au expert climber aud by reason of this 

 fact, it is asserted, he frequently despoils the homes of 

 the feathered tribes which are built in trees. 

 Audubon says: 



"The Raccoon ascends trees with faciUly and tiequently in- 

 vades the nest of the Woodpecker, although It may be secure 

 against ordinary thieves, by means of fore-feet, getting hold 

 of the eggs or young birds." 



Ground-nesting species, such as KuftVd (i rouse and 

 the AViid Turkey, hunters claim, are occasionally de- 

 stroyed by th(> inciiiisitire Raccoon. 



A.N KNJOYABLE RECREATION. 



A -'coon hunt means botli pleasure and profit for its 

 participants. The excitement attendant on the chase 

 itself— the cool night air— the excited yelping of the 

 dogs — the false starts and then tlie true find; the lan- 

 terns throwing their brightest light at the base of the 

 trees around which the dogs are wildly leaping, cast- 

 ing deep shadows up and beyond; but they are neither 

 too deep nor too black to prevent cur discovering, high 

 up and on the extremity of a limb, that for which we 

 left tlie warm house and cozy fireside. Now the excite- 

 ment is at its height; the doiis are l>L>unding madly 

 against the tree trunk, their duty fulfilled in having 

 successfully piloted us thus far, and urging us to our 

 part of the program with sharp, shrill bark. If the 

 tree is a slight one a few shakes will bring our quarry 

 heavily to the gi onnd, but if it is one of the "Jlonarchs" 

 then the steady stroke of the axe is heard; aud we 

 watcli with breathless anxiety as tlie tree with its ani- 

 mal food begins to bend slowly earthward, then more 

 r:i]'i(lly, milil it comes crashing down and the dugs end 

 - as tiny liad begun — the doings of that 'coon hunt. 



