CHAPTER II. 
COLLECTING AND PRESERVING MAMMALS. 
Section I. Collecting. — Because mammals are not quite 
as interesting at first sight as birds, the study of this 
class of animals has been somewhat neglected; and but 
comparatively few naturalists are even aware of the ex- 
istence of some of the smaller mammalia that live about 
them. They are, however, worthy of special attention, and, 
if studied, will soon be found particularly interesting. 
In collecting mammals, excepting some of the larger 
species, the gun is of but little use ; they must be taken 
almost entirely with traps. Shrews and Moles may be 
frequently found where they have been dropped by cats, 
who catch them, but do not eat them. In this way a 
great many valuable specimens may be obtained. 
Another way to procure Mice and Shrews is to turn over 
old logs and stumps, under which these little animals fre- 
quently hide, and while dazzled by the light’s coming in 
suddenly upon them, they may be readily seized in the 
hand. Mice may also be trapped. 
Squirrels may be shot or caught in traps; Foxes, trapped, 
shot, or dug out of their holes. Woodchucks are easily 
trapped or dug out. Skunks are very disagreeable animals 
to handle, but when one once becomes accustomed to 
capturing them he can do it in perfect safety. The best 
way is to catch them in a box-trap” baited with the 
head of a chicken ; when caught, immerse trap and skunk 
in water until the animal is dead. Treated in this man- 
ner, they will not emit any of their disagreeable scent. 
By breaking the backbone with a stout stick, when the 
