166
[delete]Ben Mere farm[/delete] Peterborough, N.H.
1898.
July 5th
Aug.15
(No.14)
  As nearly as I can learn by questioning the sportsmen
and farmers the Black Bear ceased to exist in or come to
visit this region many years ago. Deer were absent for
half a century or more but they returned three or four
years ago and are now not uncommon. Foxes and
raccoons are very numerous as are also Porcupines and
Woodchucks. The Northern Hare and the Coney "Rabbit" are
about equally numerous but the former is confined
to the swamps and wet swales along the brooks while
then latter occupies the higher grounds. A few Otters
are still said to linger in Contoocook River and
Muskrats and Minks are common in the brooks & 
in Cunningham Pond. The Gray Squirrel is found in
considerable numbers and the Red & Chipmunk Squirrels
are of course abundant. The Black Rat swarms in
Mr. Day's buildings and is said to be the only Rat
that occurs in this neighborhood.
[margin]Mammals[/margin]