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Distribution. — The habitat of the Pekan is approximately between 35° 

 and 65° in wooded districts throughout the greater part of North 

 America. East of the Mississippi it does not occur throughout its 

 prescribed range. As the country has been cleared it has been forced 

 to the distant forests, and is now almost unknown in the Middle States. 

 It was abundant and troublesome in New York as late as 1840, but 

 is now restricted to the mountains of the State, and to the thinly settled 

 portions. 



Its remains are found abundantly in the bone caves of Pennsylvania 

 (Baird), and the animal still exists in the mountains of Perry county, 

 north of Carlisle. — (Coues). It is rare in Canada, and but two hundred 

 are taken yearly in Nova Scotia. It probably occurs in the Hoosac Moun- 

 tains (Allen), and, according to Dr. Emmons, was found near Stamford, 

 Vermont, as late as 1840. 



Description. — In its long head, bushy tail and large size the Pekan 

 is more fox-like than musteline in general appearance. It ranges in 

 weight from eight and a half to eighteen pounds, and is often as large 

 as a fox two-thirds grown. The males are larger than the females. 

 When full grown they measure thirty inches from nose to root of tail. 

 Many are but twenty-four inches long, and others are even a third longer. 

 The tail-vertebrse are fourteen inches (12 to 16) ; nose to eye two inches ; 

 nose to occiput over curve of head, sixteen and a half inches; distance 

 between tips of ears, seven inches; hind foot, four and a half inches; 

 fore leg, from elbow, six or seven inches; hind leg, from hip, nearly 

 twelve inches. 



Specimens vary in color with age and season. The belly, legs, and tail 

 are black or blackish brown ; the hinder part of the body above is much 

 the same. On the rest of the upper parts there is a mixture, first of 

 of brownish, then of yellowish gray, conspicuous on the shoulders and 

 nape, growing still lighter on the top and sides of the head. These vari- 

 ations are due, mainly, to the long, coarse hairs, which are lustrous black 

 on the tail, except a reddish-gray tinge at the base. This shade extends 

 further along the hair, becoming purer and lighter on the middle back, 

 until, on the shoulders, the hairs have smoky-brown bases and blackish 

 tips, which are overpowered by the intervening brownish-white. The 

 soft under fur is brownish-plumbeous, lighter at the base. Irregular 

 white blotches, even in the darkest specimens, are found on the chest, 

 arm-pits, and between the thighs; the throat may show a few white 

 hairs. The animal is darker below than above; an exception to the 

 usual coloration in this group.. 



