American Game 127 



of the state, generally in the mountainous district near 

 Adams. The bob cat, or lynx rufus, is found occa- 

 sionally throughout the state, usually in the northwest- 

 ern part. 



Raccoon are not infrequent, and there is an occa- 

 sional otter shot, although this animal is by no means 

 common. Fox are numerous ; they are most abun- 

 dant in the western part of the state and on Cape 

 Cod. 



Woodchuck are plentiful and scattered throughout 

 the state, being more abundant in the western portion. 

 Mink and muskrat are common ; gray squirrel vary 

 by seasons. Some years there are migrations of these 

 rodents across the New England states : at such times 

 they are abundant in the middle and western portions 

 of Massachusetts. 



Perhaps the most highly esteemed game-bird in 

 Massachusetts is the ruffed grouse. It cannot be 

 said it is anywhere abundant; it is always very wild. 

 To shoot ruffed grouse in Massachusetts requires the 

 highest order of skill in the sportsman. The latest 

 reports from different parts of the state indicate that 

 these noble birds are rapidly decreasing in numbers, 

 except in Berkshire county ; in the eastern part of the 

 state they are quite rare. Market-hunting and snaring 

 have done this. 



Woodcock being migratory, vary according to the 

 seasons. Many of the old covers have been much shot 

 over, but the birds still frequent the state in favored 

 localities in goodly numbers. 



Quail are most abundant in the southeastern portion 

 of the state, Cape Cod being most favorable for these 



