58 PRACTICAL TAXIDERMY. 



country the main trails leading to streams in the valleys 

 can usually be reconnoitered with success. The larger 

 carnivorous animals start on their peregrinations at 

 evening, and the still-hunter will find them coming out 

 from their beds and cover when the sun disappears over 

 the mountains, and the bottoms begin to be shaded. 



With the approach of darkness, animals feel more 

 secure from danger. They wander slowly about, feeding, 

 and are not so liable to see the hunter as at other times. 

 In the morning they are on the alert, travelling hurriedly 

 in search of secluded places to rest for the day. Al- 

 though watchful at such times, they are often killed by 

 the hunter, who easily sights them when moving. 



During the rutting season, ruminants are travelling 

 about during the day, and the hunter is liable to meet 

 them at any hour, though the uplands are most i e- 

 quented by them. 



Many of the smaller animals are easily snared, such as 

 skunks, and the larger rodents. A spring-pole should 

 be used for hares and rabbits, etc., though prairie-dogs 

 and gophers can be taken by placing a snare attached to 

 a string, over their holes, and quickly jerking it when 

 they poke their heads out to w T ateh. In this manner, I 

 snared thirty-seven for scientific purposes, in a village on 

 the plains of Montana, when it was almost impossible to 

 get one with a shot-gun, as, when killed, they dropped 

 down their tunneled holes like the badger and woodchuck. 



Strychnine is one of the essentials for collecting ani- 

 mals, as there are but few species that refuse to take it 

 when in bait. Poisoned animals are always in the best 

 condition for mounting, as their feet are not lacerated 

 with traps, or their skins perforated with shot or bullet- 

 holes. 



