MAMMALS OF NOETHEEN CANADA 251 



movements are very swift. Indians informed Mr. Eoss that 

 little-chief hares V7ere common in the mountains of the Liard 

 Eiver, while Jack McQuesten obtained some specimens on 

 the Upper Yukon, about 200 miles south of the old fort 

 and in about latitude 63° north. 



Canada Poecupinb — JEreihizon dorsatus (Linnaeus). 



Porcupines are but rarely met with in the wooded coun- 

 try of the northern Anderson Eiver, but in the region to the 

 south they are somewhat more numerous, though nowhere 

 in the far north very abundant. It is said that they copulate 

 in September, and that the young are not brought forth until 

 the following April. They are usually one or two in number, 

 and, like most mammals, are born blind and helpless. They 

 nest in rock-sheltered holes. The male renders no assistance 

 in rearing his offspring. They spend much time among the 

 trees, on which they subsist. Indians consider them the 

 most insolent and the clumsiest of animals. Neither Doctor 

 Eussell nor the Messrs. Preble met with this species on their 

 recent Arctic and Hudson Bay expeditions. Mr. George 

 Deschambeault says that the period of gestation lasts aJbout 

 twelve months. 



Yellow-haieed Poectjpine — Erethizon epixanihus 

 Brandt. 



The northern Indians concede that there are two kinds 

 of porcupines in the Canadian Territories. This species, 

 however, is more numerous toward the Eocky Mountains, 

 where it probaJbly replaces E. dorsatus. The flesh of the 

 porcupine is considered excellent eating, not only by the 

 natives but by all who have partaken thereof. Some hunters 

 state that the females bring forth two and three at a birth. 

 The Slave tribe of Indians inhabiting the Liard and Mac- 

 kenzie rivers dye the quills of various colours and weave 

 them into belts, garters, bands, bracelets, and rings for table 



