NORTH AMERICAN MAMMALS 61 
and most interesting of North American mammals. This is the animal 
so famous in the negro songs of the South. 
Next is the raccoon, more commonly known as the “coon.” It 
is nocturnal in habit and makes its nest in hollow 
Raccoon 
maxes trees. ‘Two species of fox are shown, the red fox and the gray 
fox, both of which are justly famous for their sly cunning. 
BISON COW AND CALF 
The big game of North America is described in Guide Leaflet No. 5, North American Ruminants 
The common skunk is a very useful although greatly abused animal. 
While it occasionally destroys poultry and other birds, its 
principal food consists of injurious insects and field mice. 
Its defensive weapon is an excessively fetid fluid secreted by a pair of 
glands situated near the base of the tail. It has the ability to eject this 
fluid to a considerable distance. Its skin makes a valuable fur known as 
“Alaskan sable.” 
Other fur-bearing animals shown are the mink and otter and the 
Skunk 
Otter weasel, the latter in both its summer dress of dull brown 
Mink and and its winter coat of white. Weasel fur is often used 
Weasel 
in place of ermine. 
Another important fur-bearing animal shown is the muskrat. In the 
group are seen its summer home, usually a burrow in the 
bank of a stream or pond, and its winter mound, construct- 
ed of swamp grass and roots mixed with mud. Muskrats are extensively 
Muskrat 
