CAHN—MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA 
69 
It seemed advisable, when the opportunity presented itself, to 
investigate the vertebrate fauna of this region before further changes 
occurred. This chance came to the writer during the last half of July 
and in August, 1919. During this period much of the county was 
covered, and the results of that portion of the investigation relating 
to mammals are herewith presented. A report on the avifauna of the 
county has been published elsewhere.^ 
The data upon which this paper is based are from two sources: per- 
sonal investigation, and information furnished the writer by Mr. George 
Dwigans, a woodsman who has spent years within the county, and 
who is perfectly famihar with its big game., The investigation was 
made possible through the kindnesses of Dr. Sydney Kuh, who has a 
cabin in the heart of the county, and to him the writer expresses his 
appreciation. 
A list of the mammals of Itasca County follows. 
1. Northern Virginia Deer. Odocoileus americanus borealis Miller. — Still rea- 
sonably common throughout the county. The great areas available for its habi- 
tation — including a considerable amount of forest and game preserve — together 
with the scanty settlement of large sections of the county are conducive to the 
welfare of the species. In spite of the fact that the deer are relatively undis- 
turbed during most of the year, they are shy and suspicious as compared with 
those found in northern Michigan and Wisconsin. However, during the early 
summer, deer visited the vegetable garden near the cabin almost nightly, as 
disclosed next morning by the tracks in the soft earth. On the morning of August 
1, Doctor Kuh and Mr. Jacobsen surprised a doe and two fawns on the road near 
Lawrence Lake (Prairie River) and their automobile came within a few inches 
of running one down. 
2. Moose. Aloes americanus Jardine. — Rapidly nearing extinction in Itasca 
County, and very seldom seen. The species is probably more of a migrant from 
the country to the north and west than a permanent resident within the county. 
During the early summer — June, 1919 — the tracks of a large sized moose were 
found one morning traversing Doctor Kuh’s garden on Lake Minnewanka, an 
incident which has occurred several times during previous years. Doctor Kuh 
has the mounted head of a bull which was killed during the hunting season in 
1911. If the moose is to be saved anywhere outside of forest and game preserves, 
it is high time that it be protected to the full power of the law. The moose is 
about to be added to the list of animals that formerly inhabited the county, to 
which list already belong the caribou, elk, fisher and marten. 
3. Canada Lynx. Lynx canadensis canadensis Kerr. — Because of its secretive 
habits, the lynx is very seldom seen. It occurs, however, throughout the county, 
and is quite often taken by trappers during the winter months. During August, 
1 Cahn, A. R., Bird Notes from Itasca County, Minnesota. Wilson Bull., 
vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 103-122. December, 1920. 
JOUENAL OF MAMMALOGY, VOL. 2 , NO. 2 
