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may also aot, together with the buzzards, as general scavengers. All 

 of these birds are a necessary part of the natural system of regu- 

 lating life. They are harmful to the individuals on which they prey 

 but distinctly beneficial on the whole. They in turn fall prey to 

 other stronger or more skillful hunters. 



The mammals in our classification constitute the highest and 

 last group among the animals. In the forest community we find those 

 which have been attracted to it primarily because of the vegetative 

 growth, and. . these in turn have attracted other forms, which 

 hold their numbers in check. 



The deer, moose and wapiti, browse on the herbs, shrubs and 

 lower branches of trees. The great group of rodents, most abundant 

 and varied in habit and function of our nat^ive mammals, depend for 

 their existence mainly on vegetable food. The porcupine strips the 

 bark from the trees; the beavers fell the trees for their food and 

 to build their dams and shelters; the rabbit eats the smaller veg- 

 etation, and in winter together with the mice and rats, giaaws the 

 bark of shrubs and young trees. All these in summer eat some veg- 

 etation and seeds, and may also act as scavengers. The squirrels 

 eat the seeds and nuts, which also they may bury or hide in time of 

 plenty, and sometimes forget, thus unconsciously aiding in the dis- 

 tribution of these forms. 



All of these mammals play the part of turning plant material 

 into flesh, and by so doing attract the carnivorous animals to the 

 community. In this latter group are found such mammals as the 

 weasel, fox, and lynx, whose general food and habits are well known. 



