436 



KEl'ORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



COLLECTING AND PRESERVING MAMMALS. , 



It is desirable that a school in which biology is taught, should 

 have a collection of specimens of one or more groups of animals 

 found in the vicinity. Mammals are more easily collected and pre- 

 pared than birds, and the objections often and justly urged to 

 allowing amateurs to collect birds cannot be urged with regard to 

 mammals. On the other hand, the injurious character of the species 

 of mice makes it desirable that their habits should be learned and 

 many individuals destroyed. Much can be learned about their 

 habits and anatomy while making a collection and preparing speci- 

 mens. 



Excellent directions for preparing specimens of small mammals 

 for study purposes have been published by the United States Na- 

 tional Museum at Washington, D. C. These directions, which con- 

 stitute part N of Bulletin 39, are sent free to schools, teachers or 

 others seriously interested in the study of mammals. The following 

 remarks are condensed from them. 



For the study of mammals, the dried and stuffed skins and the 

 cleaned skulls are necessary. The small mammals, such as mice, 

 shrews, ground squirrels, weasels, etc., are most easily collected by 

 trapping. For the smaller species the best trap is the ordinary 

 mouse trap made with a spring fastened on a wooden block and 

 variously known as the " out-o '-sight, " "cyclone," "lightning," 

 etc. Most of these are very poorly made, however, and last but a 

 short time if used out of doors where they get wet. A much better 

 (and also more expensive) trap is constructed on the same prin- 

 ciple by the Animal Trap Company of Lititz, Pennsylvania, espe- 

 cially for collectors. Rat traps of the same style are suited for 

 catching grcmnd squirrels. The wild mice do not readily enter 

 cage or box tra[)s designed for capturing animals alive. 



The fur-bearing animals can be taken in unbaited steel traps 

 set in the entrance of their dens or in paths frequented by them 

 along streams or in the roads. Dry, uncooked rolled oats makes an 

 excellent bait for most small mammals and cheese and nuts are also 

 good. 



Mammals spoil more (|uickly than birds and should be skinned 

 as soon as possible after being caught. In the summer it is neces- 

 sary to visit tra})s twice a day, in the evening to replenish bait 

 that insects may have eaten, and in the morning before the hot sun 

 shines on specimens that are caught. In cold weather it is not 

 necessary to visit them rnon^ than onci^ a day or once in two days. 



I>('r()r(' skinning the animal, three measurements should Ix^ taken 



