76 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 6 0, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



development of postorbital processes, and the depression of the brain 

 case near the fronto-parietal suture. 'Ilie differential characters, 

 however, warrant its recognition as a distinct species. In describing 

 P. maynardi Bangs (1898b, p. 92) says: "There is no tradition among 

 the inhabitants of Nassau that the raccoon was ever introduced upon 

 the island. . . . The raccoon is abundant upon Nassau [New Provi- 

 dence] but Mr. Maynard believes that it does not exist upon any of the 

 other islands of the Bahama group." According to the Acting 

 Colonial Secretary Charles P. Bethel, the raccoons on New Providence 

 Island have decreased during recent years owing to the destruction by 

 hurricanes of fruit trees that afforded a food supply. 



Specimens examined. — Three, ^^ all from New Providence Island. 



PROCYON PYGMAEUS Merriam 



CozuMEL Island Raccoon 



Procyon pygmaeus Merriam, Biol. Soc. Washington Proc. 14: 101, July 19, 1901. 



Type locality. — Cozumel Island, Yucatan, Mexico. Tropical Zone. 



Type. — No. 108511, male subadult, skin and skull. United States 

 National Museum (Biological Surveys collection) ; collected by E. W. 

 Nelson and E. A. Goldman, April 14, 1901. 



Distribution. — Known only from Cozumel Island. 



General characters. — Smallest known species of the genus, with short, 

 bristly, grayish pelage; skull with short, posteriorly rounded nasals and 

 very small teeth. Somewhat similar in color and texture of pelage to 

 P. I. shufeldti, of the adjacent mainland, but so much smaller and 

 cranial characters so distinctive that close comparison is not required. 



Color. — Upper parts in general light buft'y gray, the median dorsal 

 area suffused with pale buff", becoming more pronounced and approach- 

 ing ochraceous buff" on a narrow nuchal patch in some specimens, 

 rather thinly overlaid with black ; top of head clearer, grizzled gray and 

 black, lac^^ing light buft'y tone suffusing back; black mask becoming 

 brownish and usually more or less mixed with gray on middle of face, 

 the gray admixture invading also the dark median streak extending to 

 the forehead ; upper surface of muzzle brownish ; lines bordering mask 

 above, sides of muzzle, lips, and chin white; under parts, in general, 

 thinly overlaid with light buft'y hairs, the light brownish underfur 

 showing through; throat patch dark brownish, clearly defined; ears 

 grayish or light buft'y; postauricular spots brownish, small and incon- 

 spicuous; legs similar to under parts, becoming dull whitish on feet, 

 the hind legs with outer sides of ankles clearer brownish; tail with six 

 or seven narrow, brownish or blackish rings and a black tip, alternating 

 with broader ochraceous buil'y rings, the dark rings ill-defined on 

 under side. 



« One in Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.; one in Mus. Comp. Zool. 



