02 MAMMALIA. 



and devour tlu' hapless fisli that chance to get detained in any of the 

 little pools along shore; but are unable to dive and pursue their prey 

 under water, like the Otter and Mink. They are good swimmers 

 and do not hesitate to cross rivers that lie in their path. 



Although excellent climbers, making their nests in a hollow, high 

 up in some large tree, they cannot be said to be arboreal in 

 habits. They do not pursue their prey amongst the tree tops, alter 

 the manner of the martens, nor make a practice of gathering nuts 

 from the branches, like squirrels; nor do they, like the porcupine, 

 browse upon the green foliage. Trees constitute the homes in which 

 they rest and bring forth their young, and to which they retreat 

 when pursued by man or beast; but their business is transacted else- 

 where. At nightfall they descend to the ground to prowl through 

 groves, fields, and swamps, and follow streams and lake shores in 

 search of food. 



Their fondness for fresh corn has brought many a luckless Coon 

 to an untimely end, for " 'Coon hunting, by the light of the harvest 

 moon," has long been a favorite sport. The method of procedure is 

 simple : several men, with dogs, meet together, generally about mid- 

 night, near some maize field which is known to be frequented by 

 these animals. If a Raccoon happens to be present he is soon treed 

 by the dogs, and is either shot, or the tree upon which he hides is 

 felled and he is destro)'ed by the dogs. An old Coon is a tough 

 match for an average dog, and many a plucky cur bears lasting 

 scars of their sharp teeth. The 'Coon first invades the corn fields 

 while the tender kernels, not )et lull grown, consist of a soft 

 milky pulp, and he continues to feast upon the maize till fully 

 ripe, and even after it is cut and stacked. He is very expert in 

 breaking down the stalks and stripping the husks from the ear, 

 using his fore-paws as we do our hands. 



Raccoons are clever beasts, and in certain directions their cun- 

 ning surpasses that of the fox. The familiar epithet, " a sly 

 'Coon," owes its origin to certain of their proclivities. Still they 



