478 



coon frequently feeds on the eggs of different species of 

 birds. He is an expert climber and by reason of this 

 fact, it is asserted, he frequently despoils the homes of 

 the feathered tribes which are built in trees. 

 Audubon says: 



"The Raccoon ascends trees with facility and frequently in- 

 vades the nest of the Woodpecker, although it may be secure 

 against ordinary thieves, by means of fore-feet, getting hold 

 of the eggs or young birds." 



Ground-nesting species, such as Ruffed Grouse and 

 the Wild Turkey, hunters claim, are occasionally de- 

 stroyed by the inquisitive Raccoon. 



AN ENJOYABLE RECREATION. 



A 'coon hunt means both, pleasure and profit for its 

 participants. The excitement attendant on the chase 

 itself — the cool night air — the; excited yelping of the 

 dogs — the false starts and then the true find; the lan- 

 terns throwing their brightest light at the base of the 

 trees around which the dogs are wildly leaping, cast- 

 ing deep shadows up and beyond; but they are neither 

 too deep nor too black to prevent our discovering, high 

 up and on the extremity of a limb, that for which we 

 left the warm house and cozy fireside. Now the excite- 

 ment is at its height; the dogs are bounding madly 

 against the tree trunk, their duty fulfilled in having 

 successfully piloted us thus far, and urging us to our 

 part of the program with sharp, shrill bark. If the 

 tree is a slight one a few shakes will bring our qu,irry 

 heavily to the ground, but if it is one of the "Monarchs" 

 then the steady stroke of the axe is heard; and we 

 watch with breathless anxiety as the tree with its ani- 

 mal food begins to bend slowly earthward, then more 

 rajtidly, until it comes crasihinti' down and the dogs end 

 — as they had begun — the doings of that 'coon hunt. 



