MINNESOTA 



INNESOTA has an area of 83,531 square 

 miles. The state occupies an elevated 

 surface, and is the source of the Red 

 River of the North and the great Mis- 

 sissippi. Rivers which have their 

 sources within this state flow into the Arctic ocean, 

 the Atlantic ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico. Its gen- 

 eral surface is made up of plateaus and elevated prai- 

 ries, many of which are interspersed with lakes which 

 are the resort of myriads of wild fowl. 



The furred game of Minnesota consists of deer, bear, 

 antelope, moose, caribou, lynx, both the Canada and 

 the red, cougar, gray or timber- wolf, prairie-wolf or 

 coyote, beaver, otter, mink, wolverine, badger, muskrat, 

 fox, sable, squirrel, jack-rabbit, and cottontail rabbit. 

 It is claimed that there are some elk left in the state ; 

 but if such is the case, they are few in number. State 

 authorities say they are extinct. The law protecting 

 moose for a period of five years has caused a considera- 

 ble increase of these animals. This protection con- 

 tinued until January I, 1898. Moose are found chiefly 

 in the northern counties. 



Foxes are found more or less throughout the state. 

 Wolves are still abundant. Wolf hunts are one of the 

 recognized sports of Minnesota. Squirrel are not very 

 abundant, but are most plentiful in the southern part. 



Of feathered game there are pinnated grouse, ruffed 

 grouse, quail, woodcock, snipe, plover, and rail. With 

 the great number of lakes, Minnesota is the breeding- 



