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Distribution.—The habitat of the Pekan is approximately between 35° 
and 65° in wooded districts throughout the greater part of North 
America. East of the Mississippi it does not occur throughout its 
prescribed range. As the country has been cleared it has been forced 
to the distant forests, and is now almost unknown in the Middle States. 
It was abundant and troublesome in New York as late as 1840, but 
is now restrictea to the mountains of the State, and to the thinly settled 
portions. 
Its remains are found abundantly in the bone caves of Pennsylvania 
(Baird), and the animal still exists in the mountains of Perry county, 
north of Carlisle.—(Coues). It is rare in Canada, and but two hundred 
are taken yearly in Nova Scotia. It probably occurs in the Hoosac Moun- 
tains (Allen), and, according to Dr. Emmons, was found near Stamford, 
Vermont, as late as 1840. 
Description.—In its long head, bushy tail and large size the Pekan 
is more fox-like than musteline in general appearance. It ranges in 
weight from eight and a half to eighteen pounds, and is often as large 
as a fox two-thirds grown. The males are larger than the females. 
When full grown they measure thirty inches from nose to root of tail. 
Many are but twenty-four inches long, and others are even a third longer. 
The tail-vertebre are fourteen inches (12 to 16); nose to eye two inches; 
nose to occiput over curve of head, sixteen and a half inches; distance 
between tips of ears, seven inches; hind foot, four and a half inches; 
fore leg, from elbow, six or seven inches; hind leg, from hip, nearly 
twelve inches. | 
Specimens vary in color with age and season. The belly, legs, and tail 
are black or blackish brown ; the hinder part of the body above is much 
the same. On the rest of the upper parts there is a mixture, first of 
of brownish, then of yellowish gray, conspicuous on the shoulders and 
nape, growing still lighter on the top and sides of the head. These vari- 
ations are due, mainly, to the long, coarse hairs, which are lustrous black 
on the tail, except a reddish-gray tinge at the base. This shade extends 
further along the hair, becoming purer and lighter on the middle back, 
until, on the shoulders, the hairs have smoky-brown bases and blackish 
tips, which are overpowered by the intervening brownish-white. The 
soft under fur is brownish-plumbeous, lighter at the base. Irregular 
white blotches, even in the darkest specimens, are found on the chest, 
arm-pits, and between the thighs; the throat may show a few white 
hairs. The animal is darker below than above; an exception to the 
usual coloration in this group. — 
