APPENDIX. 451 



the above, found in this neighborhood, is highly probable ; but, as 

 stated in the body of the work, I have not been able to identify 

 them. 



Muskrat. Fiber zibethicus. 



Kalm mentions the well-known habit of the muskrat, of eating 

 the ordinary river mussels (unios), and intimates their depending 

 largely upon them for food. Godman does not refer to this, but 

 states that their food is wholly vegetable matter ; adding, " It has 

 been imagined that this animal feeds also upon fish ... an 

 opinion which the structure of the teeth, stomach, and intestines 

 sufficiently contradict." De Kay, on the other hand, says, " It is 

 also extremely fond of the fresh-water mussel (unio), heaps of 

 which, in a gnawed and comminuted state, may be found near their 

 retreats. As a matter of fact, the muskrat not only consumes quan- 

 tities of mussels, but other animal matter whenever it can be ob- 

 tained. I have knowledge of their seizing ducklings and dragging 

 them to their burrows, and have seen them in a mill-pond quarrel- 

 ing over the remains of a dog that had been drowned." 



Rabbit. Lepus sylvaticus. 



Of the few mammals of considerable size still to be found in 

 long-settled neighborhoods, the rabbits seem best to have withstood 

 the encroachments of man upon their haunts and the persecution 

 of a host of enemies. They are probably as abundant as a century 

 ago, benefiting more by the destruction of their natural enemies, 

 than suffering from the persecution of man and dogs. 



Opossum. Didelphis Virginiana. 



During the past three or four years these animals have increased 

 quite rapidly in numbers, and become less wary, or at least frequent 

 localities that are less well adapted to shield them by day than are 

 their usual woodland haunts. As an article of food they are highly 

 prized by many ; but their merits as such seem to me largely over- 

 stated. While not disposed to regularly hibernate, they can sleep for 

 weeks without food. 



BIRDS. 



Dr. William P. Turnbull, in preparing his classical 

 " Birds of East Pennsylvania and New Jersey," * remarks 



* " The Birds of East Pennsylvania and New Jersey." By William P. 

 Turnbull, LL. D. Glasgow : Printed for private circulation. 1869, 4to. 



