F E R ^. 



15 



the tracks of this species from those of the Black Bear [Ursus ameri-' 

 canus), which is said to inhabit the same country." 



2. Genus MELES, Briss. Reg. Auimal (1756). 

 1. Meles labradoria [Qnielia). — The American Badger. 



Unus labradorius, Gm. Syst. Nat. I, p. 102 (1788). 



Aud. and Bach. Quad, of N. A. Plate XL VII; oct. ed. I, Plate XLVII. 



Apparently a common animal of Oregon, though we have not the 

 facilities for comparing specimens from the western and northern 

 regions of the American continent. We find no specimens in the 

 collection of the Expedition, and it is alluded to only in the journal 

 of Dr. Pickering. 



Dr. Pickering gives the following interesting note on this species, 

 under date of 7th of September, 1841 : 



" This day while on a short excursion alone, I fell in with a badger 

 about sunset. It retreated across some marshy ground, and I fired at 

 it without effect. After passing over some hills for about one-third of 

 a mile, it turned and made a stand, and I thought would allow me to 

 approach, but as I came near, it bristled up, yet made no threatening 

 demonstrations and retreated backwards into its burrow, keeping just 

 at a sufficient distance to be out of my reach. I now in my turn 

 feigned a retreat, when it immediately came out again a few yards, 

 affording another opportunity of a shot, but at too great a distance, 

 and whether injured or not it regained its burrow and did not again 

 appear. It uttered no cry whatever, and was so slow in its move^ 

 ments that I found no difficulty in closely pursuing it, though over 

 unfavorable ground. 



" Curiosity to observe the strange intruder on its solitary haunts, 

 was evidently the motive that had wellnigh drawn this animal to 

 destruction ; and I have had frequent opportunities of observing that 

 the same indication of intelligence is much more strikingly exhibited 

 by the Mammalia in general (even in the Cetacea and Phocidcv), than 

 in the other classes of the animal kingdom. 



"The white stripe down the middle of the face was very conspi- 



