NATURAL AREAS AND REGIONS 



321 



are included in the Fauna of New Eng- 

 land by Glover M. Allen 2 as now present 

 are the star-nosed mole (Condylura 

 cristata}, raccoon (Procyon lotor}, red 

 fox (Vulpes fulvd) , bob-cat (Lynx rufus), 

 mink (Mustela vison mink}, otter (Lutra 

 canadensis), skunk (Mephitis nigra], 

 muskrat (Ondatra zibethica), cottontail 

 rabbit (Sylvilagus transitionalis}, snow- 

 shoe hare (Lepus americanus) , wood- 

 chuck (Marmota monax preblorum), gray 

 squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis leucotis), 

 red squirrel (S. hudsonicus) , chipmunk 

 (Tamias striatus lysteri), flying-squirrel 

 (Glaucomys sabrinus macrotis), deer 

 mouse (Peromyscus leucopus novebora- 

 censis}, porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), 

 deer (Odocoileus virginianus borealis), 

 short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda], 

 hairy-tailed mole (Parascalops breweri}, 

 besides the forms inhabiting the coastal 

 waters. The deer are protected except 

 during a short open season, and are 

 numerous enough to be of interest to 

 hunters, and to be a cause of worry to 

 farmers and orchardmen. 



Wild turkeys were formerly common 

 over the entire state, the last record 

 being Mt. Tom, winter of 1850-1851. 

 Heath hen was common, now found only 

 on Martha's Veneyard. Wild pigeons 

 were also common. C. W. Johnson. 



III. PRESERVED AREAS 



There are 7 State Parks in Massa- 

 chusetts, where they are called Reserva- 

 tions. The land was bought by the 

 State and is maintained by the counties 

 under the direction of special commis- 

 sioners appointed by the Governor. In 

 addition Massachusetts has 16 State 

 Forests, including the "Province 

 Lands," controlled by the Department 

 of Conservation, Division of Forestry, 

 Metropolitan Parks owned by the State, 

 two Demonstration Forests for the study 

 of forestry, fish and game farms. Three 

 Reservations are held by the Appala- 

 chian Mountain Club. (6 or 7 small 

 areas held by the Trustees of Public 

 Reservations.) 



'Allen, Glover M. "Fauna of New England," 

 Occasional Papers of the Boston Society of Natural 

 History. VII. 1904. 



The areas described begin with the 

 western boundary of the State and pass 

 eastward. 



*Mt. Everet State Reservation. (B2.) 

 815 acres of mountain-forest in the town 

 of Mt. Washington, in the southern 

 part of Berkshire County. Northeast- 

 ern evergreen-deciduous-transition for- 

 est. There is a good road from the town 

 to Lake Undine, and a road practically 

 completed from the lake to the top. 

 Waters unpolluted. Good boarding 

 houses at the foot of the mountain. 

 About 2800 ft., the second highest 

 mountain in the State. 



From Great Barrington, 6 mi.; N. Y., 

 N. H. & H. R. R. H. C. Joynor, Gt. 

 Barrington. 



*Mt. Greylock State Reservation. (A3 

 in spots.) Comprising 8600 acres in the 

 northern part of Berkshire County, 

 including mountains, ravines, bluffs, 

 gravel slides, rocky and glacial situa- 

 tions; for the most part wooded, with 

 many varieties of trees both deciduous 

 and conifer showing succession from 

 pioneer conditions on rocky upland to 

 mature forest. Fauna includes small 

 animals and deer. Automobiles can go 

 to the top. Good trails make walking 

 easy. Greylock Summit House fur- 

 nishes meals and limited accommoda- 

 tions. Camping is permitted and places 

 are assigned by the superintendent. 

 Mr. Rockwell of Pittsfield will furnish 

 information concerning the park. Ele- 

 vation 800 to 3600 ft. Sharp. 



From Williamstown 3| mi., North 

 Adams 7 mi., both on the Nickle Plate 

 R. R. 



*0ctober Mountain State Forest. 

 (B2.) 11,000 acres of mountains and 

 plateaus, in the town of Washington, 

 mostly cut over and once cultivated; 

 now abandoned; to be reforested. 

 About one-third consists of woodland, 

 60-70 years old, reverting to natural 

 conditions. Restocked by the former 

 owners with moose and deer. Average 

 elevation 1900 ft., highest 2300 ft. 



From Pittsfield, 8 mi. south. Partly 

 from a newspaper article by Allen 

 Chamberlain. 



