Arboretum. Northern and southern flying squirrel tracks 
are less often encountered. Look for a landing mark far 
from the nearest tree. A number live along the Moodie 
Drive "Jack Pine Nature Trail". White-footed and deer 
mice have identical tracks, generally showing a tail 
mark. The beaver’s tail usually obscures his tracks 
but other signs such as fresh cuttings are usually 
nearby. Meadow voles are very numerous in most fields, 
however as the snow deepens they resort to travelling 
in tunnels under the snow. At this time one more often 
finds their hoarfrost-rimmed breathing holes. When 
they are out on the surface they generally walk - not 
the regular 'rabbit' style print of other rodents. A 
vole track in a wet coniferous forest would be that of 
the attractive red-backed vole. Jack Pine Nature Trail 
has a few. Muskrats are seldom encountered in winter. 
Rats are generally around buildings or garbage. Porcu¬ 
pines are common; they leave a wallowing trough marked 
with fine quill marks - note the inturned toes and 
curved foot drags. 
There are three 'rabbits' in the area; their 
tracks are distinctive and similar to rodents'. However 
the hind feet in rabbits are more oval, parallel and 
closer together, and both feet are less clawlike and 
more padded or furred than rodents'. The snowshoe hare 
is common in coniferous and mixed woods; the distance 
between jumps is 1 - 6 feet. The introduced European 
hare appears to be at its northern limit, locally, just 
south of Bells Corners, and it prefers flat open areas; 
the distance between jumps is 7 - 12 feet. And finally 
Peter Cottontail is common in the city. 
A track familiar to most must be that of the white¬ 
tailed deer, which can be found in most swamps and 
forests. The huge tracks of the majestic moose are 
sometimes seen north of Ottawa. 
I have included a few of the common bird prints 
but the enterprising ornithologist can probably learn 
many more. 
Well, enough of this reading - strap on those skis 
or snowshoes and see the variety of animals lurking 
along your favourite trail or woodlot path. 
42 
