ZOOLOGY. 381 



eler in the Sacramento Valley rarely passed a night without 

 hearing their music. They are not so numerous now, but still 

 they are frequently seen in the most densely-settled parts of 

 the country. 



The gray wolf (Canis occidentalis) was once found in all 

 parts of California, but has become very rare in the more 

 densely-settled districts. 



The red fox ( Vulpes fulvus) is found north of latitude 

 37 ; the gray fox ( Vulpes mrginianus) in all the timbered 

 parts of the State. The coast fox (Vulpes littoralis) is 

 found only on the island of San Miguel, off the coast of Santa 

 Barbara. In its color it bears a great resemblance to the gray 

 fox, but it is not more than half as large, is less cunning, and 

 is slower in its motions. Its tail is only one-third the length 

 of its body. The specimens observed were very bold and 

 stupid, allowing themselves to be caught over and over again 

 in the same manner. 



The desert fox, ( Vulpes macrourus) which is found in the 

 central deserts of the continent, crosses the Sierra Nevada, 

 and is often killed in Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties. 



304. Badger, etc. The American badger (Taxidea 

 americana) is abundant on the plateau of the Sierra Nevada, 

 and is occasionally found in other parts of the State. It is 

 very shy, and is rarely seen by the traveler. 



The black-footed raccoon (Procyon hernandezii) is found in 

 the timbered portions of the Pacific slope of our continent 

 from Santa Barbara to British Columbia. It is longer than 

 the Atlantic raccoon, (Procyon lotor) but it resembles it very 

 closely in its mental character and capacity, habits and ap- 

 pearance. The raccoon is fond of grapes, and when he enters 

 a vineyard selects those of the finest flavor. 



An opossum (Didelphys californica) is found in the wooded 

 portions of the State, but is not abundant. 



The yellow-haired porcupine (Erethizon epixanthus) a native 

 of California, is the largest of its genus. The spines are a 



