HIBERNATION AND ALLIED STATES IN ANIMALS 81 



I am also indebted to Mr W. Yates of Hatchly, 

 Ontario, a capable and loving observer of Nature, for 

 several notes. He says : 



"Trappers are opposed to the belief that Red Squirrels 

 hibernate, for they may be seen in the woods in the most 

 inclement weather. They do not store up food in nests for 

 themselves, but rob the dormouse or woodmouse, and kill him 

 when they can." 



This seems also to be Mr Yates' own view. He 

 says that Flying Squirrels, when the hollow trees on 

 which they take shelter are cut, at once betake them- 

 selves in the most lively manner to some other hollow 

 tree in the neighbourhood, the location of all of which 

 they seem to know beforehand. This scarcely argues a 

 very deep sleep if sleep at all. 



As to the Chipmunk (Tamias Lysteri), which certainly 

 stores up food in a burrow, he seems more in doubt, 

 but is not inclined to believe that he hibernates for 

 very long periods at all events. He has seen them out 

 as late as 21st December. This observer has made 

 some very interesting observations on a tame racoon 

 (Procyon Lotor). This creature lived in a hollow log 

 lined with straw, and " drowsed away the greater part 

 of December and January, leaving any food placed 

 before him unnoticed." The racoon is known to 

 spend the greater part of the winter in hollow elm 

 trees in this part of the country, and Mr Yates 

 points out that the cutting-down of most of these 

 trees resulted in the racoons betaking themselves to 

 underground burrows, including those once occupied 

 by foxes. 



He says of the Woodchuck (Arctomys Monax) : 



"Our Marmot hibernates sooner than the bear, racoon or 

 Chipmunk. Towards the last of October he deserts his burrow 

 in the fields for one in the woods, choosing a dry, sheltered ridge, 

 and is never seen out till mild weather returns." 



