54 NOBTH AMEBICAN FAUNA [No. 65 



MAMMALS OF OREGON 

 AN IMPORTANT NATURAL RESOURCE 



Since the advent of the white man, the mammal life of Oregon 

 has been an important factor in the development of the State, as it 

 had been for ages before in maintaining the original native popula- 

 tion. The quest of valuable furs brought hardy pioneers into the 

 region, and the abundance of game enabled them to live and carry on 

 extensive explorations that yielded a valuable knowledge of the 

 country and its resources. As man and domestic animals filled the 

 more fertile parts of the country, the abundance of native life de- 

 creased; but in many parts of the State the game and fur-bearing 

 animals still have a high value and can be maintained in reasonable 

 numbers. Other forms of life destructive to game, livestock, poultry, 

 and crops must be controlled and kept within reasonable bounds, 

 while many of the useful species need careful protection and encour- 

 agement. The merely harmless but interesting forms of small 

 mammals may have a real value of interest and education that should 

 not be overlooked in our human economy. Whatever may be our 

 attitude toward the native wildlife, our course should be guided by 

 a full knowledge of all of the species, their physical characters, dis- 

 tribution, natural or controlled abundance, natural habits, and as 

 far as possible their relations to our own lives and industries. 



The object of the present report is not only to give as full informa- 

 tion as possible on all of the mammals of Oregon, but to give 

 information that will enable others to go ahead with future studies 

 based on present knowledge, until far better means for understand- 

 ing, appreciating, managing, and controlling our native fauna are 

 attained. 



A sequence of species has been adopted that brings many of the 

 more important animals ahead of the smaller and more obscure kinds, 

 and while not entirely in systematic order, this sequence seems 

 logical for practical use. 



Both common and scientific names of the species are given, as well 

 as native Indian names wherever possible, some of which eventually 

 may well replace our names of less satisfactory application. Some 

 of the native names were obtained direct from the Indians; others 

 are quoted from manuscripts or publications as indicated by initials 

 of the writers. 2 



Most of the measurements of the mammals are in millimeters as 

 taken in the field by collectors and include total length, from tip of 

 nose to tip of tail vertebrae in a straight line ; length of tail from tip 

 of vertebrae to base with tail held straight at right angles to back; 

 hind foot from tip of heel to tip of longest claw with toes held 

 straight; and length of ear from the inner notch at base to tip, 

 unless otherwise stated. 



2 Vernon Bailey, W. H. Dall, George M. Dawson, David Douglas, Luther J. Goldman, 

 George Bird Grinnell, Lewis and Clark, Maximilian Prince of Wied, C. Hart Merriam, 

 George Suckley, J. K. Townsend. 



