314 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1923 



tralia at gome early time, but there is some evidence, furnished by 

 fossil remains, that it existed there with some of the extinct mar- 

 supials at a period earlier than man is surely known in that region. 

 In color the dingo is usually reddish or rufous-tawny, although 

 individuals lighter or darker in color than the average specimens 

 are known to occur in an apparently wild state. Whatever the true 

 origin of the dingo, it is certainly as truly a wild animal in Australia 

 in modern times as any of the native marsupials or the ratlike 

 rodents. 



BACCOONS AND THEIR ALLIES 



The common raccoon {Procyon lotor) has a special yard near the 

 elephant houses, with a fine tree in which the animals of the colony 

 may be seen sunning themselves in the topmost branches. South 

 American representatives of the coon family, the kinkajou (Potos 

 flavus) and the coati-mundi (Nasua narica) are also kept in the park. 

 Both of these animals occur northward throughout much of Central 

 America and Mexico, and the coati-mundi has been captured in south- 

 ern Arizona. 



The panda (Ailurus fulgens), of the high Himalaya Mountains, 

 is interesting, not only because of its peculiar red, white, and black 

 coloration, but also because it is the only Old World representative 

 of the raccoon family. It is very fond of bamboo, which is provided 

 as a regular part of its diet. 



The cacomistle (Bassariscus astutus) is a beautiful little animal 

 often called the " ring-tailed cat," " coon cat," or " civet." It is com- 

 mon along the Pacific coast of the United States and southward into 

 the Tropics. It has many structural characters of the dogs and, al- 

 though usually classified with the raccoons, has been made the type 

 of a distinct family. The fur at times becomes fashionable and many 

 skins are placed on the market. 



•THE WEASEL FAMILY 



This group of highly bloodthirsty mammals includes such diverse 

 types as the weasel, badger, skunk, marten, and otter. The family 

 has an extensive distribution and species are found in most parts of 

 the globe with the exception of Australia and Madagascar. 



The American badgers (Taxidea taxus) have a fine yard in the 

 park where they can usually be seen in their characteristic occupa- 

 tion of digging in the soil. So active are they in this work that 

 the dirt within the inclosure is constantly turned over and always 

 presents the appearance of a newly spaded garden. The European 

 badgers (Meles meles), on the contrary, are rarely seen, as they 

 spend almost the entire day asleep under the straw in a corner of 

 their quarters. 



