86 



NORTH AMERICA. 



Red Fox of America. 



Otter. The American otter (^Lutra Canadensis) inhabits the whole continent ; it is about 

 three and a half feet long, and is covered with a very thick, fine fur, which is an article of com- 

 merce. The otter lives principally in the water, and feeds on fish. This creature has a sin- 

 gular way of amusing itself, by sliding down hills of snow, or smooth banks of earth, upon its 

 belly. The sea otter {Lutra niarina), which is of the size of a large mastifF, is found only 

 near the salt water, from 49^ to GO^ north latitude. Its fur sells at a high price in China, and 

 it is taken in great numbers on the northwest coast, in nets or from boats. 



The Red Fox (^ Vulpes fulvus) of America is common, and is nmch hunted during the autumn 

 and winter by the sportsmen, who* pursue him with packs of hounds. They are not 



mounted, as in England, but go on foot, 

 and shoot him when he comes within reach 

 of a bullet or buck-shot. He is also fre- 

 quently taken in steel traps. He possesses 

 all the art of his JCuropean brother, but his 

 brush is finer, and he is altogether a supe- 

 rior animal. He is very common in the 

 wooded districts of the northern fur-coun- 

 tries, about 8,000 skins being annually im- 

 ported into England from thence. This 

 species preys much on the smaller animals 

 of tlie rat tribe, but it is fond of fish, and 

 rejects no kind of animal food that comes 

 in its way. It hunts its food chiefly in the 

 night. 



The .Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus) is 

 found in the northern parts of America, and is very abundant around Hudson's Bay. In its 

 winter dress, it is of a pure white color. It breeds on the seacoast, principally within the 

 arctic circle, forming burrows in sandy spots. Its fur is of small value, but its flesh is 

 palatable. The Sootjj Fox ( Vulpes fuliginosus) is a mere variety of the arctic fox. It is of 

 a blackish-brown color. The Cross Fox is considered as a variety of the red fox. Its fur is 

 very valuable. The Black or Siberia Fox is more rare than the cross fox. There are sel- 

 dom more than four or five of them taken during a season. Its fur is six times the value 

 of that of any other fox in North America. I'he Gray Fox is sometimes, though rarely, 

 found in Canada, but frequents the southern parts of the United States. 



Squi7Tels. At the approach of autumn, a stranger will occasionally be saluted from some 

 neighboring tree by a succession of sharp sounds, uttered with the greatest rapidity. While he 

 is looking round to discover the cause, he will be at one moment inclined to laugh, at another 

 to be angry. He will at length perceive, on one of the highest branches of the tree, a squir- 

 rel in violent agitation, looking down upon him, and seeming to utter a torrent of invective. 

 Sometimes the little orator's throat appears to express a sort of elvish indignation, and then 

 again to be filled with Billingsgate. It will require no great effort of imagination for the listener 

 to fancy himself assailed by every epithet which ridicule, defiance, and contempt may suggest. 

 This animal is the Common red Sqidrrel. 



The Black Squirrel (Scinrus niger) is abundant in most parts 

 of the Middle States, and in size and habits resembles the Ameri- 

 can gray squirrel. Its color is usually a jet black. It is a beautiful 

 animal, possessing all the vivacity of its genus ; it climbs the tops 

 of the highest trees, leaping fearlessly from branch to branch ; some- 

 times it descends to the ground, and may be seen passing rapidly 

 along at great leaps. Tlie Common Gray Squirrel is abundant. 



The Great-tailed Squirrel., so called from the length of its tail, 

 is common on the Missouri. It is of grayish-black color, and is 

 very graceful and active. The Line-tailed Squirrel inhabits the 

 Missouri country, where it builds Its nest in the holes and crevices 

 of rocks. It is fond of the naked clifi's where there are but few 

 bushes, and very rarely ascends a tree. It feeds on the buds, 

 leaves, and fruits of plants. It is of an ash color, intermixed with 

 white hairs. Its fur is coarse, and the tail, v>'hich is very long, is 



Red Squirrel. 



