CRAB-EATING RACCOON. 
273 
DIMENSIONS. 
Inches. 
From point of nose to root of tail, 22 
Tail (vertebras), 9 
Point of nose to ear, 44 
Fore leg to point of longest nail, ... 8 
Thigh to point of longest nail, 8 
Breadth of skull, 34 
HABITS, 
This Raccoon, as observed (in California) by Mr. J. E. Clements, gene- 
rally conceals itself during the day in the oak trees which, from decay, 
afford holes into which it can retreat. It climbs with great agility up the 
rough bark of these until it reaches some decayed branch in which a 
cavity sufficiently large to hide in is found. There is a singular fact in 
this connexion, which is that most part of the rotted holes or places in 
these California oaks are found in the branches, not in the trunk. We 
are informed that many trees cut down for the purpose of making fence- 
rails, &c., are quite sound in the main stem, but the reverse in the 
branches, and that occasionally a large lateral branch will break down 
and fall to the ground — perchance startling the hunter who may be listen- 
ing in hopes of hearing the sound of an approaching animal. 
The food of this species consists of acorns, grapes, berries, eggs, birds, 
<fec., and of late it has been known to attack chickens on the farms of the 
isolated settlers, sometimes endeavouring to take them off the trees 
adjoining the houses. 
The flesh of these animals, when boiled first, and afterwards roasted, is 
very palatable, and not much unlike fresh pork. They are, however, 
generally lean, and by no means as fat as the Raccoon of our Atlantic 
States. 
This species has been seen by Mr. Clements on more than one occasion, 
apparently keeping company with the blaclc-tailed deer ( C . Richardsonii), 
being on the mountains, following the same route, among several of these 
animals. 
Two of those killed by Mr. Clements had been put up a tree by a dog 
during the night, and were discovered by the barking of the latter in the 
morning. They were only about half a mile from the house, and when 
approached, did not offer to come down, or otherwise attempt to escape. 
They had not ascended the tree more than some twenty feet from the 
ground. 
During the night these Raccoons appear to wander about, in quest of 
vol. hi. — 35 
