Parasites, Diseases and Enemies. 289 



The coon proceeded cautiously, with one paw ready 

 to grab before a stone was disturbed; then the stone 

 was quickly upset and a grab made, and a crayfish was 

 captured ; just how I could not see, but in a way that 

 avoided the two great pinching claws, which were then 

 broken off, and the crustacean scrubbed and eaten, as 

 some darkies eat peanuts, shells and all, This ac- 

 counted for the number of these claws seen on the 

 riffles. I wonder if all coons break off the claws from 

 crayfishei) before they wash and eat then. 



Coons also kill and eat the small pond turtles, thl 

 painted and Spotted ones of the northeastern United 

 State^ and perhaps the larger "sliders" of the South, 

 I have never seen them eat a turtle, but have een the 

 empty shells picked quite clean aldng the shore, and 

 usually surrounded by coon tracks, forming gdod cir- 

 cumstantial evidence. 



While fishing in Kansas a coon came out of the 

 woods and washed a frog within thirty feet of me, and 

 scrubbed it well, and went back into the brush. 



"Oh, Mistah Coon's a cunnin' t'ing, 



He ramble in de dark; 

 An' de only t'ing dat 'sturbs his mind 



Is to hear ole Ringo bark." 



