MAMMALS OF MARYLAND 



167 



Mating in this species occurs in February or March ; the gestation 

 period is about 50 days, and between one and four kittens are born, 

 usually in April. At birth the young are blind ; the eyes open after 

 about 9 or 10 days. Although weaned when 60 to 70 days old, the young 

 continue with the mother until autumn or sometimes late winter. 



The food of the bobcat is entirely animal in nature, and consists to a 

 large extent of rabbits as well as squirrels, mice, muskrats, and various 

 kinds of birds. Bobcats often feed on deer; fawns are especially vul- 

 nerable prey, and no doubt deer carrion is often consumed. Domestic 

 livestock, mainly calves and sheep but also occasionally poultry, are 

 also eaten. 



Mansueti (1950, p. 23) says that the bobcat is undoubtedly vanish- 

 ing in Maryland, but its wary and secretive habits will insure its per- 

 manence in some of the more isolated portions of the State. 



Specimens examined, — Prince Georges County: Fort Washington, 

 near, 1 ; Oxon Hill, 1. District of Colurribia: 1. 



Other records and reports. — Anne Arundel County: Annapolis, 3 

 miles NW near Severn Kiver (John C. Lingebach, in verbis) . Allegany 

 County: Evitts Mountain (Mansueti, 1950: 22) ; Iron Mountain (Md. 

 Conservationist, 27(1), pp. 9, 28, Spring 1950). Baltimore County: 

 Bay's Woods between the Great and Little Falls of the Gunpowder 

 Eiver (Mansueti, 1950, p. 22). Calvert Comity: Cypress Swamp along 

 Battle Creek (Mansueti, 1950, p. 23). Charles County: near Port To- 

 bacco (W. M. Perry go, in verbis). Howard County: Falls of the 

 Patapsco River (Mansueti, 1950, p. 22). Prirwe Georges County: 

 Patuxent River, near Upper Marlboro (Bailey, 1923, p. 121). 

 Worcester Cou/nty: Nassawango Swamp, near Nassawango Bridge 

 (Mansueti, 1950, p. 22). 



Order ARTIODACTYLA (even-toed hoofed mammals) 



Family CERVIDAE (deer) 



SIKA DEER 



Cervus nippon Temminck 



Cervus nippon Temminck, Coup d'oeil sur la faune des iles de la Sonde 

 et de I'empire du J apon, xxii, 1838. 



Type locality. — Japan. 



General distribution, — Native to Japan, eastern China, Korea, and Manchuria. 

 Introduced into England, New Zealand, Denmark, France, Austria, Russia, 

 and the United States. 



Distribution in Maryland. — James Island, Taylors Island, and ad- 

 jacent mainland in Dorchester County, and Assateague Island 

 Worcester County. 



