CHAPTER II. 



COLLECTING AND PRESERVING MAMMALS. 



SECTION I. Collecting. Because mammals are not quite 

 as interesting at first sight as birds, the study of this 

 class of auimals has been somewhat neglected; and but 

 comparatively few naturalists are even aware of the ex- 

 istence of some of the smaller mammalia that live about 

 them. They are, however, worthy of special attention, and, 

 if studied, will soon be found particularly interesting. 



In collecting mammals, excepting some of the larger 

 species, the gun is of but little use ; they must be taken 

 almost entirely with traps. Shrews and Moles may be 

 frequently found where they have been dropped by cats, 

 who catch them, but do not eat them. In this way a 

 great many valuable specimens may be obtained. 



Another way to procure Mice and Shrews is to turn over 

 old logs and stumps, under which these little animals fre- 

 quently hide, and while dazzled by the light's coming in 

 suddenly upon them, they may be readily seized in the 

 hand. Mice may also be trapped. 



Squirrels may be shot or caught in traps ; Foxes, trapped, 

 shot, or dug out of their holes. Woodchucks are easily 

 trapped or dug out. Skunks are very disagreeable animals 

 to handle, but when one once becomes accustomed to 

 capturing them he can do it in perfect safety. The best 

 way is to catch them in a " box-trap " baited with the 

 head of a chicken ; when caught, immerse trap and skunk 

 in water until the animal is dead. Treated in this man- 

 ner, they will not emit any of their disagreeable scent. 

 By breaking the backbone with a stout stick, when the 



