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\ 'Vi' 



2W FOREST LIFE IN ACADIE. 



domesticated npecimens by oatmeal feeding to over seven 

 Inindrcd. 



Having awoke at last, the genial warmth of a spring 

 day tempts him forth to tiy and find something to 

 appease the growing cravings of appetite. What is the 

 hill of fare ? meagre enough generally, for the snow still 

 covers the dead timber (where he might find colonies of 

 ants), the roots, and young shoots and buds ; but he 

 bethinks himself of the cranberries in the open bogs from 

 which, unshaded by the branches of the dark fir-forest, 

 the snow has disappeared, disclosing the bright crimson 

 berries still clinging to their tendrils on the moss-clumjjs 

 cO-nd rendered tender and luscious by the winter's frost. 

 Even the rank marsh-grass forms part of his diet ; and, as 

 the snow disappears, he turns over the fallen timber to 

 look for such insects as ants or wood-lice, which might 

 be sheltered beneath. Although so large an animal, he 

 will seek his food patiently; and the prehensile nature of 

 his lips enables him to pick up the smallest insect or 

 forest berry with great dexterity. The runs between the 

 forest lakes also afford him early and profitable spring 

 fishing ; and he may be seen lying on the edge of the ice, 

 fishing for smelts (Osmerus), which delicate little fish 

 abound in the lakes, near their junction with harbours, 

 throughout the winter, tipj)ing them out of the water on 

 '.'•i •'. to the ice behind him in a most dexterous manner with 



his paws. Later in the spring he continues his fishing pro- 

 pensities, and makes capital hauls when the gaspereaux, 

 or ale wives (Alosa vernalis), — a description of herring — 

 rush up the forest brooks in countless multitudes, carry- 

 ing an ample source of food to the doors of settlers living 

 by the banks in the remotest wilds. Works on natural 



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