ABOUT A FEW COMMON MAMMALS 277 



It is probable that even foxes are at least as numerous now 

 as they were before the country was settled. 



They live on wild and tame birds, rabbits, muskrats, 

 squirrels, mice, and other small animals. When they hunt 

 birds, they either lie in wait for them or they trail them 

 like a pointer dog and then suddenly spring upon them. 



The different kinds of foxes are among the most valu- 

 able of fur-bearing animals. Their cunning is proverbial, 

 and it is difficult to shoot or to trap them. Newhouse, 

 in his "Trappers' Guide," recommends to smear the trap 

 and chain with blood or to give both a coating of beeswax. 



68. The Raccoon. 



MATERIAL : Like that in preceding lessons. 



OUTLINE FOR LESSON 



Description. About as large as a medium-sized dog, but 

 legs shorter; weight about twenty pounds; body grayish 

 above mixed with black ; ears and lower parts whitish ; a 

 black spot on the cheeks; tail with alternating black and gray 

 rings from ten to twelve in number. 



Habits and food. Their nests and winter retreats are in 

 hollow trees ; they are good climbers. They feed on clams, 

 birds, eggs, turtles, frogs, and are very fond of corn in the 

 milk. Their flesh is eatable and they make very interesting 

 pets. In the Northern States they hibernate for several 

 months. 



