RACCOON. 



Procyon lotor. — Storr, 



THE Raccoon is one of the most generally known of Ameri- 

 can Mammals, and is of frequent occurrence throughout the 

 United States. Its total length is about three feet, of which the 

 tail occupies one-third. In color it is pale grey, somewhat mottled 

 with dusky cloudings. The face is lighter, but there is a black 

 patch upon the cheeks and another behind the ear. The tail has 

 five well marked black rings and a black hip, the interspaces 

 between these markings being pale yellow. 



Although as an article of food there is great diversity of opin- 

 ion concerning the merits of the Raccoon, yet he is hunted consid- 

 erably for the sport alone, and some, not above it, enjoy also the 

 pleasure of a palatable coon stew. Unlike the foxes, the raccoon 

 is at home in a tree, although not possessing the agility of a 

 squirrel. In fact this is the usual refuge he seeks when danger is 

 near, and not being very swift of foot, it is well they possess this 

 climbing ability. Their abode is generally in a hollow tree, oak or 

 chestnut, and when the juvenile farmer's son comes across a coon- 

 tree, he is not long in making known his discovery to friends and 

 neighbors, who forthwith assemble at the spot, and proceed to fell 

 the tree containing his coonship. At this juncture the coon loses 

 no time in scrambling out of his ruined home, but a half score or 

 more of mongrel dogs, of terrier, hound and bull extraction, soon 

 accomplish his destruction. But let it be distinctly understood he 

 does not yield up his life gracefully and without a struggle, for he 

 often puts many of his assailants ho7's de combat for many a day, 

 his jaws being strong and his claws sharp. The Raccoon breeds 

 in a hollow tree, and the young are generally from four to eight in 

 number, pretty little creatures at first, about as large as half-grown 

 rats. They are as playful as kittens and may be raised to be 



