509 



THE RACCOON. 



Tlie 'Coon' is common and well-kuowu. It occurs 

 jijenerally throvighont Ponns^'lvania, from which region 

 large nnmbery of ])elts of this coin-loving animal are 

 annually shipped. Raccoons catch fish, and they feed 

 upon mice, frogs, young birds, birds' eggs, crayfish 

 mollusks, turtles and their eggs. They capture large- 

 sized insects; nuts, fruits and poultry are dainty mor- 

 sels for these animals which are more destructive to 

 corn than any other of the farmer's possessions. 



THE OTTER. 



This wary and valuable fur-bearing animal, so de- 

 structive to fish, is found about stl'eams and lakes in 

 nearly every section of the State, but it is nowhere 

 abundant and may, not improperly, be classed among 

 the species termed rare. Individuals of this species 

 are, of course, much oftener found about streams and 

 lakes or old splash dams in the mountains and sparse- 

 ly-settled districts than elsewhere in Pennsylvania. 

 Two 01- three years ago two were captured along the 

 Brandywine Creek, near Chadd's Fo-rd, Delaware 

 county. 



The Otter loves Brook Trout and he delights to make 

 his home in localities whei*e this toothsome food is 

 plentiful and readily obtained without continued in- 

 terference on the part of man, his most deadly foe. 



THE VIRGINIA DEER. 



The Virginia Deer is found in a wild state in many 

 regions of Pennsylvania. 



Tn the counties of Clearfield. Potter, Pike. Elk. Clin 

 ton, Fulton, Franklin. Adams, Tioga and Tluntingdon. 

 the species is said to ho of frccpieut occurrence. In 



