RACOON-HUNTING. 109 



disgusting odour can be smelt is almost incredible 

 to the stranger, and statements made by naturalists 

 on this subject have been frequently disbelieved, 

 thus calling the veracity of the most trustworthy 

 into question. 



When residing in the western part of the state 

 of New York, I frequently formed one of a party 

 organised to hunt racoons. Autumn is the season 

 in which this sport is most successfully followed, 

 for then Indian corn, melons, and sundry wild fruits 

 are ripe, attractions irresistible to the nocturnal 

 animal that we were in pursuit of. The nights at 

 this period of the year are particularly beautiful, 

 more especially during what is termed the Hunters' 

 Moon. The atmosphere, clear almost as day, is not 

 disturbed by a breath of wind, and the damp exha- 

 lations proceeding from the soil are suspended over 

 the surface of the ground like an immense piece of 

 gossamer. The temperature is all that can be 

 desired for out-door exercise, and from every wood 

 and orchard migratory warblers, with plaintive 

 swelling note, sigh out to the listener a warning 

 that winter is approaching, or an intimation that 

 soon they will depart for more favoured climes. 



According to the abundance of the game we 

 were more or less successful, and many were the 

 miles we travelled, fatigue being unknown, so 

 seductive was the fascination of the sport. Occa- 

 sionally our dogs would find a skunk, and dis- 

 regarding the experiences of the past, would make 



