430 



REPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



that we have very meager evidence concerning the former abund- 

 ance of many of the species. The small species easily escape notice 

 and many of them are not mentioned by the early naturalists of 

 the State. However, by taking into consideration the facts posi- 

 tively known concerning some of the larger species and such evi- 

 dence as we may be able to obtain from the present distribution 

 and ecological relations of the other species, the following conclu- 

 sions may be stated: Fourteen species have been practically ex- 

 terminated. These have all been animals of large or medium size, 

 or they have been of considerable economic importance. Their ex- 

 termination has been directly due to the destructive work of man, 

 although this has been accomplished in some instances by a reduc- 

 tion in the available habitat and food supply. Sixteen other species 

 have been greatly reduced in numbers. Some of these will be ex- 

 terminated in the course of time, while others may become more 

 fully adapted to man and, in the case of the squirrels, they may 

 become semi-domesticated. These sixteen species are all of medium 

 size and most of them have some value for fur or food. 



Seventeen species are holding their own fairly well, so far as 

 we can tell from the evidence that is obtainable. Some of these 

 may have been reduced in numbers to some extent, but on the 

 whole they probably occupy about the same position in the fauna of 

 the State that they did a century or two ago. This group is here 

 extended to include several species concerning the numbers of 

 which we have no conclusive evidence. These species are all of 

 small size, or they are very prolific and well adapted to live in close 

 association with man. 



The nineteen remaining species have apparently increased in 

 numbers since the coming of the white men. Besides the red fox, 

 which all authorities say was rare during the period of early settle- 

 ment, the group includes the introduced mouse and rats and most of 

 the species of native mice which, because of their fecundity, small 

 size and inconsi)icuous habits are l)etter able to cope with man in the 

 struggle for existence than with their siijaller foes, the rapacious 

 beasts and birds. Hence, when the carnivorous birds and mammals 

 were lessened in numbers, the small and weak species were given an 

 advantage. % 



