1336 



THE RODENTS 



trees, while in the United States it extends on the eastern side as far south as Vir- 

 ginia, and on the western coast from Alaska to Arizona and New Mexico. Despite 

 its heavy form and nonprehensile tail, it is an adept at climbing, and spends the 

 greater part of its time among the branches of trees. Dr. Hart Merriam states 

 that although largely nocturnal, these animals may at times be seen abroad during 

 daylight. Their lair is usually made among the clefts of rocks, but sometimes in a 

 hollow tree or heap of bushes. Even in the cold climate of the Adirondacks, this 

 porcupine, although less active in winter, never hibernates. Dr. Merriam writes 

 that when one of these animals ' ' has selected and settled himself in a tree to his 

 liking, he may not leave it, day or night, until he has denuded it of the whole of 

 its foliage. I have seen many hemlocks thus completely stripped, not a green twig 



THE CANADIAN PORCUPINE. 



(One-sixth natural size.) 



remaining, even on the smallest bough. It seems incredible that so large and 

 clumsy an animal should be able to climb out far enough on the branches of trees 

 to reach the terminal leaves; but he distributes his weight by bringing several 

 branches together, and then, with his powerful paws, bends back their ends and 

 passes them through his mouth. When high in the tree tops he is often passed 

 unnoticed, mistaken, if seen at all, for the nest of a crow or a hawk." 



The food of this animal consists not only of the leaves of various trees 

 especially the hemlock spruce but likewise of their twigs and bark; while beech 

 mast is also a favorite article of its diet. The pods of water lilies are also eaten, 

 while a partiality for salt is very marked. The nest is constructed in the same 

 situations as the sleeping lair. The young in the Adirondack region are born 

 early in May, and are usually one or two in number. At birth, according to Dr. 



