MAMMALS OF ROCKWOOD PARK. 
347 
Canadian woodchuck (Marmota monax canadensis) brownish 
grey in color, in size about that of a house-cat, feeds on different 
forms of vegetable substances. Becomes excessively fat late 
in the autumn, and dens deep in the ground in winter. 
Canadian tree porcupine {Erethizo?i dorsatiifn) feeds on the 
bark of different trees; dens in caves beyond the reach of frost, 
where it lies dormant the greater part of the winter. 
Muskrat {Fiber zibethicus) . The food of the muskrat consists 
for the most part of the roots and stems of waterplants, and 
although not fish eaters, they are very fond of fresh water mussels. 
Their dens are usually some distance from the edge of the lake 
in which they live, and are reached by runways below the surface 
of the water. They are active winter and summer. 
American hare {Lepus americanus) also called the varying 
hare, from its habit of changing its color from brownish grey in 
summer to white, when the snow covers the ground. 
Canada skunk {Mephitis mephitica) make their dens in holes 
and crevices, in rocky situations beyond the reach of frost, where 
they remain during the winter. Their food is both animal and 
vegetable. 
Weasel {Putorius novceboracensis occisor). The color of the 
weasel is yellowish white in winter, in summer it is a beautiful 
nut brown ; the tip of the tail is always black. They are active 
summer and winter. 
Mink {Putorius vison) rare at the present time. Trout is 
his favorite food. The brookside is a common lurking place, 
where his dark brown coat is well nigh invisible. 
Common raccoon {Procyon lotor) is a tree climber and spends 
the greater part of the day asleep in the fork of a large tree. 
Fish or flesh is his usual diet, providing it is clean and fresh. 
Red fox {Vulpes fulva). The patch fox, silver grey, and 
black fox are color varieties of this species. One and sometimes 
two black pups have been seen in a litter of five. The fox is a 
noted scavenger. 
Red lynx, wild-cat {Felis rubra) inhabits thickly wooded 
ravines. Formidable and fierce in appearance, yet has never 
been known to attack man. They are active summer and winter. 
