
Page 6 November 1980 No. 266 NEW YORK SHELL CLUB NOTES 
shells had: a> chip on then. * (I%a ‘Love! tohave the ‘coons technique 
roke them open on 
for opening clams. I'd always thought they b year 
k ver 
rocks, but this proved me wrong). I took y 
those species that the ‘coons themselves didn’t take. 
The ‘coons seemed to prefer Truncillia truncata and Quadrula quadrula 
ther species such as Quadrula 
over the other shells, even though o oon eS oe 
pustulosa and Quadrula nodulata seemed eq 
regard to overall numbers and proximity to the shore. For some 
reason the ‘coons rarely ate them. 
When I got home, I sorted the raccoons’ catch. 
abuts & 120 - Quadrula quadrula 
93 - Truncilia truncata 
4 —- Quadrula pustulosa 
6 = Obliquaria reflexa 
1 - Amblema plicata perplicata 
3 - Ellipsaria lineolata 
227 Total 
I found that, though I could collect all of these live in this area, 
that the three Quadrula species -- nodulata, pustulosa and quadrula -- 
were the commonest in the area, with Amblema plicata perplicata a 
close second. Yet the "coons ate none of the Quadrula nodulata, 
only four Quadrula pustulosa, and only one Amblema. The preference 
was too marked to be chance or coincidence, and it was puzzling. 
I can understand perhaps that the Amblema could be quite different 
from the Quadrula gquadrula and hence was avoided by the raccoons. 
But I was at a loss to explain the marked preference between three 
closely related species. Perhaps the "coons don’t like the rounder 
Shells of Quadrula nodulata and Q. pustulosa, or perhaps there is a 
difference in taste (which I doubt). Whatever the case, I am grate- 
ful for the ‘coons preference. You see, Quadrula guadrula with its 
pastel oranges, pinks, and yellows is a far prettier shell than ei- 
ther Quadrula pustulosa or Q. nodulata, and a very "hot item" for 
trading. So I have benefited greatly from the raccoons’ cast-off 
dinner plates, so much so that I am considering taking one of our 
local ‘coons with me on my next freshwater expedition. I wonder 
now e e e e 
The breakdown went 
Reprinted from TIDE-INGS 9(1-2-3):20-21, Jan.-Feb.-Mar. 1980, 
The publication of the Crown Point Shell Collectors Study 
Group, Inc., Box 462, Crown Point, Indiana 46307. 

Editor's Note: 
The Quadrula get their name from their shape. The 
Latin word "quadrula”™ means We little square," and these thick- 
pak cet ahh ni Peer aw or clams, if you wish -- are often 
quite squaris n shape. arious species of Quadrul ther 
sturdy freshwater bivalves were used in the manufsctire of Hie 
in the years before the advent of plastics. 
dr 
