LIBRARY MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY GIFT OF QUADRUPEDS OF NORTH AMERICA THE VIVIPAROUS QUADRUPEDS NORTH AMERICA. BY JOHN JAMES'. AUDUBON, F.R.S., &c., &c. AND THE REV. JOHN BACHMAN, D.D., LL.D., &c, &c. VOL. III. NEW-YOEK: PUBLISHED BY V. G. AUDUBON. M DCCC LI Vo r) £?/£ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by Y. G. AUDUBON, In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New 1 ork. R. CRAIGHEAD, PRINTER AND STKREOTYPER : .53 VE8EY STREET, N. Y. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Felis Onca, Jaguar , ..... Page 1 Mephitis Macroura, . Large-tailed Skunk , . 11 Arctomys Pruinosus, . Hoary Marmot. — The Whistler, 17 Sciurus Colleei, . Collie’s Squirrel, 21 Pseudostoma Douglasii, . . Columbia Pouched-Rat, 24 Cervus Richardsonii, . Columbian Black-tailed Deer, . ■ 27 Arctomys Lewisii, . . Lewis’s Marmot, 32 Lepus Bachmani, . . Bachman’ s Hare, 35 Spermophilus Mexicanus, . Californian Marmot- Squirrel, . 39 Pseudostoma Talpoides, . Mole-shaped Pouched-Rat, 43 Ovibos Moschatus, . . Musk-Ox, .... 46 Lepus Californicus, . Californian Hare, 53 Can is Familiaris (yar. Borealis), Esquimaux Dog, 67 Spermophilus Lateralis, . . Say’s Marmot- Squirrel, 62 Arvicola xanthognatha, . Yellow -che eked Meadow-Mouse, 67 Vulpes Fulvus, . American Black or Silver Fox, . 70 Sciurus Nigrescens, . Dusky Squirrel, 74 Cervus Leucurus, . . Long-tailed Deer, 77 Georychus Iludsonius, . . Hudson’s Bay Lemming, . 82 Georychus Helvolus, Georychus Trimucronatus, V ulpes Lagopus, . Tawny Lemming , . Back’s Lemming , . Arctic Fox, .... &5V; 87 90S'? Lutra Canadensis (var. Lataxina Mollis), Canada Otter, .... 97 Aplodontia Leporina, . Sewellel , ..... 99 Spermophilus Mexicanus, Mexican Marmot. Squirrel, 39 So rex Palustris, . American Marsh Shrew, . 108 Rangifer Caribou, . . Caribou, or American Reindeer, 111 Ursus Americamus (var. Cinnamomum), . . Cinnamon Bear, 125 Capra Americana, . . Rocky Mountain Goat, 128 Arvicola Borealis, . . Northern Meadow -Mouse, . 134 Dipodomys Phillipsii, . Pouched Jerboa Mouse, 137 Ursus Ferox, .... . Grizzly Bear, .... 141 Can is Familiaris (yar. Lagopus), . Hare- Indian Dog, . 153 Lepus Texianus, . Texan Hare, .... 156 Arctomys Flaviventer, . . Yellow-bellied Marmot, 160 Arvicola Richardsonii, . . Richardson’ s Meadow-Mouse, . 163 Arvicola Drummondii, . . Drummond’s Meadow-Mouse, . 166 Cervus Virginianus, Common Deer , .... 168 IV TABLE OF CONTENTS. Enhydra Marina, . Mustela Martes, Spermophilus Macrourus, Putorius Agilis, Ursus Americanus, . Pseudostoma Borealis, . Pteromys Sabrinus, Pteromys Alpinus, . Arvicola Townsendii, Arvicola Uasuta, . Arvicola Orizivora, Scalops Townsendii, Dasvpus Peba, Spermophilus Townsendii, Arvicola Oregoni, . Arvicola Texiana, . Putorius Fuscus, Sciurus Fremonti, . Sciurus Fuliginosus, Pseudostoma Floridana, . Sorex Dekayi, Sorex Longirostris, . Scalops Argentatus, Yulpes Utah, .... Sciurus Mustelinus, Sciurus Auduboni, . Sciurus Aberti, Sciurus Fossor, Spermophilus Harrisii, . Arvicola Edax, Procyon Cancrivorus, . Mephitis Zorilla, . Canis (lupus) Griseus, Arvicola Dekayi, . Arvicola Apella, Arvicola Austerus, . Arvicola Californica, Arvicola Occidentalis, . Arvicola (Hesperomys) Campestris, Arvicola (Hesperomys) Sonoriensis, Arvicola Rubricatus, Perognathus Penicillatus, Pseudostoma (Geomys) Fulvus, Arvicola Montana, .... Pseudostoma Castanops, Pseudostoma (Geomys) Hispidum, . Pseudostoma Umbrinus, Pseudostoma (Geomys) Mexicanus, Pago . Sea Otter, i7o . Pine Marten, . . . . .176 . Large-tailed Spermophile , . . ,181 . Little Nimble Weasel , . . . ,184 . American Black Bear , , . . . 187 . Camas Rat , . , . . . .198 . Severn-River Flying -Squirrel, . . . 202 . Rocky Mountain Flying- Squirrel, . . 206 . Townsend's Arvicola, .... 209 . Sharp-nosed Arvicola, . . . .211 . Rice Meadow -Mouse, . . . .214 Townsend's Shrew-Mole, .... 217 . Nine-Banded Armadillo, .... 220 . American Souslik , ..... 226 . Oregon Meadow-Mouse , .... 232 Texan Meadow -Mouse, .... 280 . Tawny Weasel, ..... 234 . Fremont's Squirrel, ..... 237 . Sooty Squirrel, 240 Southern Pouched Rat, .... 242 . DcKay’s Shrew, ..... 246 Long-nosed Shrew, ..... 249 . Silvery Shrew-Mole, ..... 252 Jackall Fox, . . . 255 . Weasel-like Squirrel , . . . . .258 . Large Louisiana Black Squirrel, 260 . Colonel Abert's Squirrel, . . 262 . California Grey Squirrel , . . 264 . Harris's Marmot Squirrel, . . 267 . California Meadow Mouse , . .270 . Crab-eating Raccoon, . . . .272 Californian Skunk, . . . . .276 . American Grey Wolf, . . . .279 Glossy Arvicola, . . . . .287 . Woodhouse's Arvicola, . . . .289 Baird's Arvicola, . . . . .291 . Californian Arvicola, . . . .293 Western Arvicola, ..... 294 . New Jersey Field Mouse, . . . .295 . Sonora Field Mouse , . . . . .296 . Red-sided Meadow Mouse, .... 297 Tuft-tailed Pouched Rat, . . . .298 . Reddish Pouched Rat, . . . .300 . Peale's Meadow-Mouse, .... 302 . Chestnut-cheeked Pouched Rat, . . . 304 306 . Leadbeater's Sand Rat, .... 307 309 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Sorex Forsteri, Sorex Cooperi, Sorex Fimbripes, Sorex Personatus, . Georychus Groenlandicus, Dipodomys Ordii, . Arvicola (Hesperomys) Texana, Scalops iEneus, Seal ops Latimanus, Mus Le Contei, Mus Michiganensis, Perognathus (Cricetodipus) Parvus Didelphis Breyiceps, Didelphis Californica, Mus Carolinensis, . Sorex Richardsonii, Sorex Brevicaudus, Pseudostoma Bulbivorum, Dipodomys Agilis, . Dipodomys Heermanni, . Perognathus Fasciatus, . Sciurus Clarkii, Sciurus Annul atus, Forster’s Shrew Mouse, Cooper's Shrew, Fringe-footed Shrew, . Greenland Lemming, Ord's Fonched Mouse, Black-clawed Shreio Mole, Texan Shrew Mole, Le Conte's Mouse, Michigan Mouse, Carolina Mouse, Richardson' s Shrew , . Short-tailed Shrew, Clark's Squirru Lewis's Squirrel QUADRUPEDS OF NORTH AMERICA. FF.LIS ONCA.— Linn. J A OTAR. PLATE CL — Female. P. Supra fulva, subtus albus ; corpore ocellis annularibus uigris ornato, in series subparallelis per longitudinem dispositis ; ocellis, punctis nigris subcentralibus, in signitis. CHARACTERS. Yellow, with a white belly body marked with open black circle-like figures, each containing one or more nearly central black dots these black, circle-like markings disposed in nearly longitudinal parallel lines. SYNONYMES. Felis Onca. Linn. Syst. Natur. vol. xii. p. 61 ; Gmel. yoI. i. p. 77 , pi. 4 (4 ed.). “ “ Schreber, Saugth. p. 388, pi. 6. “ “ Erxleben Syst. p. 513, pi. 9. “ “ Zimm. Geogr. Gesch. ii. pp. 162, 268. “ “ Cuv. Ann. du Mus. xiv. p. 144. 4 T. 16. “ “ “ Regne Animale, vol. i. p. 260. Ossements Fossiles, vol. iv. p. 41 7. “ “ F. Cuv. Diet. Sci. Nat., vol. viii. p. 223. “ “ Desm. in Nouv. Diet., vol. vi. p. 97 , pi. 4. “ “ “ Mammal., pp. 219, 338. “ “ Desmoulins, Diet. Class 3d, p. 498. “ “ Temm. Monog., p. 136. “ Panthera. Sehreber, t, 99. “ Cattda Elongata. Brown’s Jamaica. Tigris Regia. Briss. Regne Animale, p. 269, fig. 7. vol. nr.-— 1 2 JAGUAR. Tlatlauiiqui Ocelotl. Tigris Mexicana. Hernandez, Mex., p. 498, fig. c. Jaguara. Marcgr. Brazil, p. 235, fig. c. Jaguar. Buff. Nat. Hist., tom. ix. p. 201. Yagouarete. D’Azara, vol. i. p. 114. Brazilian Panther. Pennant’s Synopsis, pp. 127, 176. “ Tiger. Pennant’s Quadrupeds, p. 286. Onza Pintado. Lusitanis, in Bresil. Cumang Maconis. Felis Jaguar. Hamilton Smith. Griffith’s An. Kingdom, vol. v. p. 164. “ Onca. Harlan, Fauna, p. 95. DESCRIPTION. The Jaguar compares with the Asiatic tiger in size and in shape ; its legs, however, are shorter than those of the royal tiger, although its body is perhaps as heavy. Head, large ; jaws, capable of great expansion ; incisors, large, and slightly curved inwards ; ears, rather small, rounded, clothed with short hairs on the inside. Body, rather inclining to be stout, and shorter and less elegant than the cougar : at the shoulders the Jaguar is not much more raised from the earth, but it stands higher from the ground near the rump. Feet, clothed with hair covering the retractile nails ; the pads of the feet, naked ; a few hairs between the toes ; tail, long, and generally half elevated when walking ; whiskers, few, strong, and bristly. Hair of two kinds ; the longest (which is only from four to five eighths of an inch in length) is the coarser ; the shortest is a softer and finer fur, and is not very thickly distributed. COLOUR. Where the black markings do not prevail, the hairs are light greyish- brown at the roots and on the surface rich straw-yellow, deepest near the shoulders and back, and paler on the sides and legs ; nose to near the eye nearly a uniform lightish-brown ; forehead spotted with black in some- what curved lines, the spots becoming larger towards the back of the head ; whiskers black at the roots, then white for two thirds of their length to the points ; lips and chin, white ; a black line on the sides of the mouth ; around the eye, whitish-yellow ; iris, light-yellow ; a black stripe between the ears on the back part of the head. There is no white patch behind the ear, as in the cougar and the wild cat. All the black spots on the body are composed of hairs which are black from their roots ; outer edge of the ear, black for half an inch in width ; JAGUAR. 3 a row of black spots running along the back to ancl beyond the root of the tail for about a foot along its upper surface ; the sides of the body are marked with black rings of irregular and somewhat oval shapes, with yellow-brown centres having dots of pure black in them. These black lings are, on the edge of the back somewhat diamond shaped, with from one to three little black spots inside. Many of these circles or squares are not perfect : some are formed by several dots and curved black patches which turn inwards. On the shoulders and the outer surfaces of the legs, these rings or squaies are succeeded by black spots or patches lessening in size as they approach the claws. The hair on the under, surface is dull-white from the roots, with large patches of black ; belly, inner sides of legs, and throat, white, blotched or spotted with black. These patches are irregular in size, being from one eighth of an inch to two inches in extent. Tail, general colour spotted black on a yellow ground, like the outsides of the legs. A living Jaguar from Mexico which we examined in its cage at Charleston, became very beautiful after shedding its hair in spring : the general colour of its body was bright-yellow, and the rings and spots were brilliant black. There was another living specimen in the same collection, from Brazil, which resembled the one from Mexico in its general markings, but was larger, more clumsy, and had shorter and thicker legs. There were, how- ever, no characters by which the species could be separated. DIMENSIONS. From point of nose to root of tail, Length of tail, - - Height of ear, Shoulder to end of claw, - Length of largest claw, Around the wrist, - “ “ chest, - “ “ head, - Breadth between the eyes, - - Feet. Inches. - 4 1 - 2 1 (?) 21 - 2 2 74 - 3 - 1 93 3 HABITS. Alike beautiful and ferocious, the Jaguar is of all American animals unquestionably the most to be dreaded, on account of its combined 4 JAGUAR. strength, activity, and courage, which not only give it a vast physical power over other wild creatures, but enable it frequently to destroy man. Compared with this formidable beast, the cougar need hardly be dreaded more than the wild cat ; and the grizzly bear, although often quite as ready to attack man, is inferior in swiftness and stealthy cunning. To the so much feared tiger of the East he is equal in fierceness ; and it is owing, perhaps, to his being nocturnal in his habits to a great extent, that he seldom issues from the deep swamps or the almost impenetrable thickets or jungles of thorny shrubs, vines, and tangled vegetation which compose the cliaparals of Texas and Mexico, or the dense and untracked forests of Central and Southern America, xo attack man. From his haunts in such nearly unap- proachable localities, the Jaguar roams forth towards the close of the day, and during the hours of darkness seizes on his prey. During the whole night he is abroad, but is most frequently met with in moonlight and fine nights, disliking dark and rainy weather, although at the promptings ol hunger he will draw near the camp of the traveller, or seek the almost wild horses or cattle of the ranchero even during daylight, with the coolest audacity. The Jaguar has the cunning to resort to salt-licks, or the watering- places of the mustangs and other wild animals, where, concealing himself behind a bush, or mounting on to a low or sloping tree, ha lies in wait until a favorable opportunity presents itself for springing on his prey. Like the cougar and the wild cat, he seeks for the peccary, the skunk, opossum, and the smaller rodentia ; but is fond of attacking the larger quadrupeds, giving the preference to mustangs or horses, mules, or cattle. The colts and calves especially afford him an easy prey, and form a most important item in the grand result of his predatory expeditions. Like the lion and tiger, he accomplishes by stealth or stratagem what could not be effected by his swiftness of foot, and does not, like the untiring wolf, pursue his prey with indomitable perseverance at top speed for hours together, although he will sneak after a man or any other prey for half a day at a time, or hang on the skirts of a party for a considerable period, watching for an opportunity of springing upon some person or animal in the train. Col. Hays and several other officers of the Rangers, at the time J. W Audubon was at San Antonio de Bexar, in 1845, informed him that the Jaguar was most frequently found about the watering-places of the mus- tangs, or wild horses, and deer. It has been seen to spring upon the former, and from time to time kills one ; but it is much more in the habit of attacking colts about six months old, which it masters with JAGUAR. 5 great ease. Col. Hays had killed four Jaguars during his stay in Texas. These animals are known in that country by the Americans as the “ Leopard,” and by the Mexicans as the “ Mexican tiger.” When lying in wait at or near the watering-places of deer or horses, this savage beast exhibits great patience and perseverance, remaining for hours crouched down, with head depressed, and still as death. But when some luckless animal approaches, its eyes seem to dilate, its hair bristles up, its tail is gently waved back wards and forwards, and all its powerful limbs appear to quiver with excitement. The unsuspecting creature draws near the dangerous spot ; suddenly, with a tremendous leap, the Jaguar pounces on him, and with the fury of an incarnate fiend fastens upon his neck with his terrible teeth, whilst his formidable claws are struck deep into his back and flanks. The poor victim writhes and plunges with fright and pain, and makes violent efforts to shake off the foe, but in a few moments is unable longer to struggle, and yields with a last despairing cry to his fate. The Jaguar begins to devour him while yet alive, and growls and roars over his prey until his hunger is appeased. When he has finished his meal, he sometimes covers the remains of the carcass with sticks, grass, weeds, or earth, if not disturbed, so as to conceal it from other predacious animals and vul- tures, until he is ready for another banquet. The Jaguar often lies down to guard his prey, after devouring as much as he can. On one occasion a small party of Rangers came across one while feeding upon a mustang. The animal was surrounded by eight or ten hungry wolves, which dared not interfere or approach too near “the presence.” The Rangers gave chase to the Jaguar, on which the wolves set up a howl or cry like a pack of hounds, and joined in the hunt, which ended before they had gone many yards, the Jaguar being shot down as he ran, upon which the wolves went back to the carcass of the horse and finished him. The Jaguar has been known to follow a man for a long time. Colonel Hays, whilst alone on a scouting expedition, was followed by one of these animals for a considerable distance. The colonel, who was aware that his footsteps were scented by the animal, having observed him on his trail a little in his rear, had proceeded a good way, and thought that the Jaguar had left, when, having entered a thicker part of the wood, he heard a stick crack, and being in an Indian country, “whirled round,” expecting to face a Wakoe ; but instead of a red-skin, he saw the Jaguar, about half-crouched, looking “ right in his eye,” and gently waving his tail. The colonel, although he wished not to discharge his gun, being in the neighborhood of Indians who might hear the report, now thought it high time to shoot, so he fired, and killed him in his tracks. “ The skin,” as he informed us, “ was so beautiful, it was a pleasure to look at it.” 6 JAGUAR. These skins are very highly prized by the Mexicans, and also by the Rangers ; they are used for holster coverings and as saddle cloths, and form a superb addition to the caparison of a beautiful horse, the most important animal to the occupants of the prairies of Texas, and upon which they always show to the best advantage. In a conversation with General Houston at Washington city, he informed us that he had found the Jaguar east of the San Jacinto river, and abundantly on the head waters of some of the eastern tributaries of the Rio Grande, the Guadaloupe, &c. These animals, said the general, are sometimes found associated to the number of two or more together, when they easily destroy horses and other large quadrupeds. On the head waters of the San Marco, one night, the general’s people were aroused by the snorting of their horses, but on advancing into the space around could see nothing, owing to the great darkness. The horses having become quiet, the men returned to camp and lay down to rest as usual, but in the morning one of the horses was found to have been killed and eaten up entirely, except the skeleton. The horses on this occasion were hobbled and picketed ; but the general thinks the Jaguar frequently catches and destroys wild ones, as well as cattle. The celebrated Bowie caught a splendid mustang horse, on the rump of which were two extensive scars made by the claws of a Jaguar or cougar. Such instances, indeed, are not very rare. Capt. J. P. McCown, U. S. A., related the following anecdote to us : — At a camp near the Rio Grande, one night, in the thick, low, level musquit country, when on an expedition after Indians, the captain had killed a beef which was brought into camp from some distance. A fire was made, part of the beef hanging on a tree near it. The horses were picketed around, the men outside forming a circular guard. After some hours of the night had passed, the captain was aroused by the soldier next him saying, “ Captain, may I shoot?” and raising himself on his arm, saw a Jaguar close to the fire, between him and the beef, and near it, with one fore-foot raised, as if disturbed ; it turned its head towards the captain as he ordered the soldier not to fire, lest he should hurt some one on the other side of the camp, and then, seeming to know it was discovered, but without exhibiting any sign of fear, slowly, and with the stealthy, noiseless pace and attitude of a common cat, sneaked off. The Jaguar, in its South American range, was long since noticed for its ferocity by Humboldt and others. In some remarks on the American animals of the genus felis, which we find in the Memoirs of the Wernerian Nat. Hist. Society of Edinburgh, vol. iv., part 2, p. 470, it is stated that Ihe Jaguar, like the royal tiger of Asia, does not fly from man when it is JAGUAR. dared to close combat, when it is not alarmed by the great number of its assailants. The writer quotes an instance in which one of these animals had seized a horse belonging to a farm in the province of Oumana, and dragged it to a considerable distance. “ The groans of the dying horse,” says Humboldt, “ awoke the slaves of the farm, who went out armed with lances and cutlasses. The animal continued on its prey, awaited then- approach with firmness, and fell only after a long and obstinate resist- ance.” In the same article, the writer states that the Jaguar leaps into the water to attack the Indians in their canoes on the Oronoko. This animal called the Yagouarete in Paraguay if we are not mistaken, the foregoing article goes on to say, is described by gentlemen who have hunted it in that country, as a very courageous and powerful animal, of great activity, and highly dangerous when at bay. He also says : “ Both this species and the puma are rendered more formidable by the facility with which they can ascend trees. “A very beautiful Jaguar from Paraguay was some time ago carried alive to Liverpool. When the animal arrived, it was in full health, and though not fully grown was of a very formidable size and strength. The captain who brought it could venture to play with it, as it lay on one of the boats on deck, to which it was chained ; but it had been familiarized to him from the time it was the size of a small dog.” In Griffith’s Cuvier, vol. ii. p. 457, it is stated in a quotation from D’Azara, that the Jaguar is reported to “ stand in the water out of the stream, and drop its saliva, which, floating on the surface, draws the fish after it within reach, when it seizes them with the paw, and throws them ashore for food.” At the same page, it is said, “ The Jaguar is hunted with a number of dogs, which, although they have no chance of destroying it themselves, drive the animal into a tree, provided it can find one a little inclining, or else into some hole. In the first case the hunters kill it with fire-arms or lances ; and in the second, some of the natives are occasionally found hardy enough to approach it with the left arm covered with a sheep- skin, and to spear it with the other — a temerity which is frequently followed with fatal consequences to the hunter.” The Jaguars we examined in a menagerie at Charleston had periodical fits of bad temper : one of them severely bit his keeper, and was ready to give battle either to the Asiatic tiger or the lion, which were kept in separate cages. We add some extracts, with which we hope our readers will be interested : “ In the province of Tucuman, the common mode of killing the Jaguar is to trace him to his lair by the wool left on the bushes, if he has carried 8 JAGUAR. off a sheep, or by means of a dog trained for the purpose. On finding the enemy, the gaucho puts himself into a position for receiving him on the point of a bayonet or spear at the first spring which he makes, and thus waits until the dogs drive him out— an exploit which he performs with such coolness and dexterity that there is scarcely an instance of failure. In a recent instance related by our capitaz, the business was not so quickly completed. The animal lay stretched at full length on the ground, like a gorged cat. Instead of showing anger and attacking his enemies with fury, he was playful, and disposed rather to parley with the dogs with good humour than to take their attack in sober earnestness. He was now fired upon, and a ball lodged in his shoulders, on which he sprang so quickly on his watching assailant that he not only buried the bayonet in his body, but tumbled over the capitaz who held it, and they floundered on the ground together, the man being completely in his clutches. ‘ I thought,’ said the brave fellow, ‘ I was no longer a capitaz, while I held my arm up to protect my throat, which the animal seemed in the act of seizing ; but when I expected to feel his fangs in my flesh, the green fire of his eyes which blazed upon me flashed out in a moment. He fell on me, and expired at the very instant I thought myself lost for ever.’ ” — Captain Andrews’s Travels in South America, vol. i. p. 219. “ Two Indian children, a boy and girl eight or nine years of age, were sitting among the grass near the village of Atures, in the midst of a savannah. It was two in the afternoon when a Jaguar issued from the forest and approached the children, gambolling around them, sometimes concealing himself among the long grass, and again springing forward, with his back curved and his head lowered, as is usual with our cats. The little boy was unaware of the danger in which he was placed, and became sensible of it only when the Jaguar struck him on the head with one of his paws. The blows thus inflicted were at first slight, but gradually became ruder. The claws of the Jaguar wounded the child, and blood flowed with violence. The little girl then took up a branch of a tree, and struck the animal, which fled before her. The Indians, hearing the cries of the children, ran up and saw the Jaguar, which bounded off without showing any disposition to defend itself.”— Humboldt’s Travels and Researches, fyc., Edinburgh, 1833, p. 245. Humboldt speculates on this cat-like treatment of the children, and we think it very likely that occasionally the Jaguar plays in a similar manner with its prey, although we have not witnessed it, nor heard of any authentic case of the kind. D’Azara says (vol. i. p. 116) that the black Jaguar is so rare that in forty years only two had been killed on the head waters of the river JAGUAR. n Parana. The man who killed one of these assured him that it did not differ from the Jaguar (Yagouaret6), except that it was black, marked with still blacker spots, like those of the common Jaguar. The Jaguar generally goes singly, but is sometimes accompanied by his favourite female. The latter brings forth two young at a time, the hair of which is rougher and not so beautiful as in the adult. She guides them, as soon as they are able to follow, and supplies and protects them, not hesitating to encounter any danger in their defence. The Jaguar, according to D’Azara, can easily drag away a horse or an ox ; and should another be fastened or yoked to the one he kills, the pow- erful beast drags both off together, notwithstanding the resistance of the terrified living one. He does not conceal the residue of his prey after feeding : this may be because of the abundance of animals in his South American haunts. He hunts in the stealthy manner of a cat after a rat, and his leap upon his prey is a very sudden, quick spring : he does not move rapidly when retreating or running. It is said that if he finds a party of sleeping travellers at night, he advances into their midst, and first kills the dog, if there is one, next the negro, and then the Indian, only attacking the Spaniard after he has made this selection ; but generally he seizes the dog and the meat, even when the latter is broiling on the fire, without injuring the men, unless he is attacked or is remarkably hungry, or unless he has been accustomed to eat human flesh, in which case he prefers it to every other kind. D’Azara says very coolly, “ Since I have been here the Yagouardtds (Jaguars) have eaten six men, two of whom were seized by them whilst warming themselves by a fire.” If a small party of men or a herd of animals pass within gunshot of a Jaguar, the beast attacks the last one of them with a loud roar. During the night, and especially in the love season, he frequently roars, uttering in a continued manner, pou, pou , pou. It is said that when the Spaniards settled the country from Montevideo to Santa-Fe de Yera Cruz, so many Jaguars were found that two thousand were killed annually, but their numbers have been greatly diminished (D’Azara, vol. i. p. 124). We have no positive information as to the present average annually killed, but presume it not to exceed one tenth the above number. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. This species is known to exist in Texas, and in a few localities is not very rare, although it is far from being abundant throughout the state. It is found on the head waters of the Rio Grande, and also on the Nueces. VOL. III. — 2 k 10 JAGUAR. Towards the west and southwest it extends to the mountainous country beyond El Paso. Harlan speaks of its being occasionally seen east of the Mississippi. This we think somewhat doubtful. It inhabits Mexico and is frequently met with in almost every part of Central America. Humboldt mentions having heard its constant nightly screams on the banks of the Oronoco. It is known to inhabit Paraguay and the Brazils, and may be regarded as the tiger of all the warmer parts of America, pro- ducing nearly as much terror in the minds of the feeble natives as does its congener, the royal tiger, in the East. It is not found in Oregon, and we have not met with any account of it as existing in California. GENERAL REMARKS. Buffon, in describing the habits of the Jaguar, appears to have received his accounts of the timidity of this species from those who referred to the Ocelot, which is generally admitted to be a timid animal. He erroneously supposed that when full grown it did not exceed the size of an ordinary dog, in which he egregiously underrated its dimensions. It is certainly a third heavier than the Cougar, and is not only a more powerful, but a far more ferocious animal. This species exhibits some varieties, one of which, the black Jaguar, is so peculiar that it has been conjectured that it might be entitled to a distinct specific name. The exceeding rarity, however, of the animal, and the variations to which nearly all the species of this genus are subject, induce us to set it down as merely a variety. It must be observed that it is rare to find two specimens of uniform colour ; indeed the markings on each side of the same animal are seldom alike. Buffon (vol. v. p. 196, pi. 117-119) has given three figures of the Jaguar, the first and third of which we consider as the Ocelot, and the second as probably the Panther (F. Pardus) of the eastern continent. Hamilton Smith, in Griffith’s Cuvier (vol. ii. pp. 455, 456), has given us two figures of this species, differing considerably in colour and markings : the former is very characteristic. He has named this species Felis Jaguar, which is inadmis- sible. There is some resemblance in this species to the panther (F. Pardus ), as also to the leopard ( F . Leopardus ) of Africa, but they are now so well described as distinct species that it is scarcely necessary to point out the distinctive marks of each. Buffon’s panth&re femelle, pi. 12, and Shaw’s, Gen. Zool., Part I., pi. 84, evidently are figures of our Jaguar. 11 MEPHITIS MACROUR A.— L icht. Large-Tailed Skunk. PLATE Cl I.— M ale. M. magnitudine felis cati (domestica), fusco-niger, striis duabus albis dorsalibus, vitta alba frontali, cauda capite longiore. CHARACTERS. S ize of the domestic cat J general colour, brownish-black ; a white stripe on each side of the back, and on the forehead ; tail longer than the head. SYNONYMES. Mephitis Macroura. Licht., Darstellung neuer oder wenig bekannter Saugthiere, Berlin, 1 82*7—34, Tafel xlvi. “ Mexicanus Gray. Loudon’s Mag., p. 581. 1837. DESCRIPTION. Body, as in other species of this genus, stout ; head, small ; nose short, rather acute, and naked ; ears short, rounded, clothed with short hair on both surfaces ; eyes, small ; claws, slender and weak ; soles of the feet naked. The body is covered with two kinds of hair ; the first long and glossy, the fur underneath soft and woolly ; tail very long, rather bushy, covered with long hairs, and without any of the softer and shorter fur. COLOUR. There are slight variations in the markings of the specimens we examined in the museums of Berlin and London, and in those we possess. This species appears, however, to be less eccentric in colour and markings than the common skunk M. chinga. In the specimen from which our figure was made, there is a rather broad longitudinal white stripe running from the nose to near the back of the head ; upper surface of neck and back, white, with a narrow black dorsal stripe beginning on the middle of the back and running down on the upper surface of the tail ; a spot of white under the shoulder, and another along 12 LARGE-TAILED SKUNK. the flanks ; the hairs on the tail are irregularly mixed with white and black ; under surface black. Another skin from the same region has a narrower stripe on the fore- head, the usual white stripes from the back of the head along the sides nearly meeting again at the root of the tail, leaving the dorsal black patch very much broader than in the specimen just described, and of an oval shape ; the tail contains a greater number of black hairs, and towards the tip is altogether black ; sides, legs, and whole under surface, black. Lichtenstein’s figure resembles this specimen in form and markings, with the exceptions that it represents scarcely any black patch on the back, and that it exhibits a longitudinal white stripe running from the shoulder to the hip. Lichtenstein has also described and figured the young ol this species, which very closely resembles the adult. DIMENSIONS. Male. — Killed January 28, 1846. Feet. Prom point of nose to root of tail, - - - 1 Tail (vertebras), 1 “ to end of hair, 1 Between ears, - - - Girth around the body, behind fore-legs, - “ “ belly, 1 Height from sole of fore-foot to top of shoulders, Weight, 4} lb. — specimen fat. inches. 4 1 6 2i 9 2i 8i HABITS. In Texas, during the winter of 1845-6, specimens of this skunk were obtained, by J. W. Audubon ; the first he met with was seen on one of the high and dry prairies west of Houston, on the road to Lagrange ; this was, however, only a young one. It was easily caught, as these animals never attempt to escape by flight, depending on the fetid discharges which they, like the common skunk, eject, to disgust their assailant and cause him to leave them in safety. By throwing sticks and clods of dirt at this young one, he was induced to display his powers in this way, and teased until he had emptied the glandular sacs which contain the detestable secretion. He was then comparatively disarmed, and by thrusting a forked stick over the back of his head, was pinned to the ground, then seized and thrust into a bag, the mouth of which being tied up, he waa LARGE-TAILED SKUNK. 13 considered safely captured, and was slung to one of the pack-saddles of the baggage-mules. The fetor of this young skunk was not so horrid as that of the common species ( Mephitis chinga). On arriving at the camping ground for the night, the party found that their prisoner had escaped by gnawing a hole in the bag, being unobserved by any one. This species is described as very common in some parts of Texas, and its superb tail is now and then used by the country folks by way of plume or feather in their hats. J. W. Audubon, in his Journal, remarks : “ We were much amused at the disposition manifested by some of the privates in the corps of Hangers, to put on extra finery when opportunity offered. At one time a party returned from a chase after Indians whom they had over- taken and routed. Several of them had whole turkey-cocks’ tails stuck on one side of their hats, and had long pendant trains of feathers hanging behind their backs, which they had taken from the 1 braves’ of the Wakoes. One young fellow, about eighteen years of age, had a superb head-dress and suit to match, which he had taken from an Indian, whom, to use Ins own expression, he had scared out of it ; he had, to complete the triumphal decoration of his handsome person, painted his face all the colours of the rainbow, and looked fierce enough. In contrast with these freaks of some of the men, we noticed that their tried and chivalrous leaders, Hays, Walker, Gillespie, and Chevalier, were always dressed in the plainest costume the ‘ regulations’ permitted. The Large-Tailed Skunk feeds upon snakes, lizards, insects, birds’ eggs, and small animals ; and it is said that at the season when the pecan ( Carya olivaeformis) ripens, they eat those nuts, as well as acorns. This is strange, considering their carnivorous formation. They burrow in winter, and live in hollows and under roots. They produce five or six young at a birth. We are indebted to Col. Geo. A. McCall, U. b. A., for the following interesting account of an adventure with one of these Skunks, which, besides being written in an entertaining and lively manner, sets forth in a strong light the dread the very idea of being defiled by these offensive brutes causes in every one who has ever been in those parts of the country they inhabit : — “ In New Mexico, in September last, returning from Los Yegas to Santa I’d, I halted for the night at Cottonwood creek. Here, I pitched my tent on' the edge of a beautiful grove of the trees ( Populus angulatus) which > give name to the stream. “ Wishing to reach my destination at an early hour on the morrow, I directed the men to be up before day, in order that they might feed their 14 LARGE-TAILED SKUNK. lioises, get their breakfast, and be ready to take the road as soon as it was fairly daylight. After a refreshing sleep, I awoke about an hour before day, and the familiar sound of my horse munching his corn by the side of my tent, where he was usually picketed, informed me that my men were already astir. At this hour, the moon, almost at the full, was low in the west, and flung its mellow light adown the mountain gorge, in rays that were nearly horizontal. And therefore, not finding it necessary to strike a light, I was on the point of rising, when I heard, as I thought, my servant opening the mess-basket, which stood near the foot of my bed. I spoke to him ; but receiving no answer, I turned my eyes in that direc- tion, and discovered on the front wall of my tent a little shadow playing fantastically over the canvas, upon which the moon’s rays fell, after passing over my head. With a hunter’s eye, I at once recognized in this shadow the outline of the uplifted tail of a Mephitis Macroura, vulgo Large-Tailed Skunk , whose body was concealed from my view behind the mess-basket. Into this, doubtless attracted by the scent of a cold boiled bacon-ham, he was evidently endeavouring to effect an entrance. “ Bein g weB acquainted with his habits and character, I knew 1 must manage to get rid of my visitor without seriously alarming or provoking him, or I should in all probability be the sufferer. I therefore thought 1 would at first, merely in a quiet way, signify my presence ; on discovering which, perhaps, he would take the hint, and his departure at the same time” So, ‘ I coughed and cried hem !’ but my gentleman only raised his head above the top of the basket for a moment, and then renewed his efforts to lift the lid. I now took up one of my boots that lay by my bed, and struck the heel smartly against the tent-pole. Again the intruder raised his head, and regarded me for a moment ; after which he left the basket and passed round the foot of my bed, which, I should mention, was spread upon the ground. At first, I thought he had, indeed, taken the hint, and was about to slope off. But I had, in fact, only excited his curiosity ; and the next moment, to my horror, I saw him turn up by the side of my bed, and come dancing along with a dainty, sidling motion, to examine into the cause of the noise. His broad white tail was elevated, and jauntily flirted from side to side as he approached. In fact, his approach was the sauciest and most provokingly deliberate thing conceivable. As every step brought him nearer to my face, the impulse I felt to bolt head-foremost through the opposite side of the tent, was almost irresistible : but I well knew that any sudden motion on my part, whilst in such close proximity to the rascal, would be very apt so to startle him as to bring upon me that which I was seeking to escape, and of which I was, in truth, in mortal dread ; whilst, on the other hand, I was equally aware that my safety lay LARGE-TAILED SKIJNK. 15 m keeping perfectly still, for it was quite probable that the animal, after having satisfied his curiosity, would, if itninterrupted, quietly take his' departure. The trial was a severe one, for the next moment the upright white tail was passing within a foot of my very face. I did not flinch, but kept my eye upon it, although the cold sweat broke out upon my forehead in great globules. At length the fellow finding nothing to alarm him, turned about and with a sidelong motion danced back again to the mess- basket. Finding now that he had no thought of taking himself away, I exclaimed internally, ‘ Mortal man cannot bear a repetition of what I have just experienced !’ and laid my hand upon my rifle, which stood at my head. I weighed the chances of killing the animal so instantly dead that no dis- charge of odour would take place ; but just at this moment he succeeded in raising the top of the basket and I heard his descent among the spoons. ‘ Ha ! ha ! old fellow, I have you now !’ I said to myself ; and the next instant I was standing on the top of the mess-basket, whither I had got without the slightest noise, and where I now heard the rascal rummaging my things little suspecting that he was at the time a prisoner. I called my servant — a negro. George made his appearance, and as he opened the front of the tent paused in surprise at seeing me standing en dishabille on the top of the mess-basket. ‘ George,’ said I, in a quiet tone, 1 buckle the straps of this basket.’ George looked still more surprised on receiving the order, but obeyed it in silence. I then stepped gently off, and said, ‘ Take this basket very carefully, and without shaking it, out yonder, in front, and set it down easily.’ George looked still more bewildered ; but, accustomed to obey without question, did as he was directed. After he had carried the basket off to a considerable distance, and placed it on the ground, he looked back at the door of the tent, where I still stood, for further orders. ‘Unbuckle the straps,’ said I; it was done. ‘Raise the top of the basket :’ he did so ; while at the same time, elevating my voice, I continued, ‘ and let that d d Skunk out !’ As the last words escaped from my lips the head and tail of the animal appeared in sight, and George, giving vent to a scream of surprise and fear, broke away like a quarter-horse, and did not stop until he had put a good fifty yards between himself and the mess-basket. Meanwhile, the Skunk, with the same deliberation that had marked his previous course (and which, by the way, is a remarkable trait in the character of this animal), descended the side of the basket, and, with tail erect, danced off in a direction down the creek, and finally disappeared in the bushes. I then, having recovered from a good fit of laughter, called to George, who rather reluctantly made his appearance before me. He was still a little out of breath, and with some agitation, thus delivered himself, ‘ Bless God, massa, if I had known 16 LARGE-TAILED SKUNK. there was a Skunk in the mess-basket, I never would have touched it in this world V 1 1 knew that well enough, George, and that was the reason I did not tell you of it.’ “ It is only necessary further to say that the animal, having been neither alarmed nor provoked in any way, did not on this occasion emit the slightest odour ; nor was any trace left in my tent or mess-basket, to remind me afterwards of the early morning visitor at my camp on Cotton- wood creek.”— Philadelphia, June 24th, 1851. We have heard of some cases in which this Skunk, having penetrated into the tents of both officers and men, on our southwestern frontier, has been less skilfully managed, and the consequences were so bad as to compel the abandonment of even the tents, although soused into creeks and scrubbed with hopes of destroying the “ hogo.” GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. This species exists on the western ranges of the mountains in Mexico. The specimen described by Lichtenstein was obtained by Mr. Deppe in the mountains to the northwest of the city of Mexico. The animal was seen by Col. G. A. McCall in New Mexico, between Los Vegas and Santa Pd. The specimen figured by John W. Audubon was obtained near San Antonio, and he describes it as common in the western parts of Texas. It is not found in Louisiana, nor near the sea-shore in Texas. It will, we think, be found to inhabit some portions of California, although we cannot state this with certainty. GENERAL REMARKS. There are several species of this genus, which are found to vary so much in the distribution of their colours that many mere varieties were described as new species, without any other characters than those presented by the number of stripes on the back, or the predominance either of black or white spots on the different portions of the body. Buffon described five species. Baron Cuvier, in his “ Ossemens Fossiles,” took much pains in endeavoring to clear up the difficulties on the subject of these animals ■' yet, owing to his not possessing specimens, and his too great dependence on colour, he multiplied the number of some species which a re now found to be mere varieties, and omitted others which are unquestionably true species. 17 J., ARCTOMYS PRUIN OSUS.— Pennant. Hoary Marmot. — The Whistler. PLATE 01 II.— Males. A. vellere cano longo, denso, maxime in thorace liumorisque, in partibua I posterioribus fulvo-flayescente, cauda comosa fusco nigrisccntc. CHARACTERS. Fur , long, dense, and hoary, particularly on the chest and shoulders ; hinder parts dull yellowish-brown ; tail bushy, blackish-brown. SYNONYMES. Hoary Marmot. Pennant, Hist. Quadr., vol. ii. p. 130. “ “ “ Arctic Zool., vol. i. p. 112. Ground-Hog. Mackenzie’s Voyage, p. 515. Whistler. Harmon’s Journal, p. 427. Arctomys (?) Pruinosus. Rich, Zool. Jour., No. 12, p. 518. Mar. 1828. “ Rich, Fauna Boreali Americana, p. 150. Quisquis-qui-po. Cree Indians. Deh-ie. Cheppewyans. Souffleur, or Mountain-Badger. Fur-Traders. Arctomys Protnosa. Harlan, Fauna, p. 169. Calligata. Eschscholtz, Zoologischer Atlas, Berlin, 1829, pi. 6, part 2, p. 1. DESCRIPTION. In form, this animal (which we examined whilst it was alive at the Zoological Gardens in London) bears a considerable resemblance to the European Marmot ( Arctomys Marmota). It also resembles the Maryland Marmot (A. Monax). Being, at the time we saw it, excessively fat, the body, when it lay down, spread out or flattened like that of the badger ; f. • it was so covered with dense and very long hair that it was difflcult to recognize the true outline ; it subsequently shed its hair, and our figure was taken in its new and shorter pelage. The animal is rather longer than the Maryland Marmot ; head, of moderate size ; eyes, rather small but conspicuous ; ears, oval and covered with hair on both surfaces ; feet short, robust, and clothed with hair ; nails strong, slightly arched, free ; vol. hi. — 3 \ i I HOARY MARMOT. 18 tail, short, and thickly clothed with long and coarse hair to the extremity . The pelage is a soft and dense fur beneath, covered with longer and more rigid hairs. COLOUR. Fur on the back, dark at base, the outer portion white, with black points more or less extended ; on the rump it is dull-brown at the roots, with black and yellow towards the extremities. The general appearance of the animal, owing to the admixture of these dark-brown and white hairs, of which the white predominate, is hoary-brown. Upper surface of nose, ears, back part of the head, feet, and nails, black ; a black band runs backwards from behind the ears for about an inch and a half, and then descends nearly vertically on the neck, where it -vanishes , side’s of muzzle, and behind the nostrils above, as well as chin, pure white ; cheeks, grizzled with rust-colour and black ; moustaches, nearly all black, a few, light-brown. There are a few white hairs on the middle toes of the fore-teet ; tan black, varied with rusty-brown, and a few whitish hairs with black points , whole under parts pale rust colour, with a slight mixture of black on the belly ; extremities of the ears slightly tipped with white ; upper incisors, yellow ; lower, nearly white. DIMENSIONS. Length from point of nose to root of tail, “ of tail (vertebrae), “ “ including hair, Point of nose to end of head, Ear, - Palm and nail, Nail, Tarsus, - Nail on hind foot, - Foot. Inches. Lines. - 1 7 5 6 7 9 8 4 54 2 9 9 3 8 8 HABITS. This Marmot was described by Pennant, from a skin preserved in the Leverian Museum, which was for many years the only specimen m any known collection. It appears to have afterwards become a question whether there was such an animal, or whether it might not prove to be the HOARY MARMOT. 19 Maryland Marmot, the original specimen, above mentioned, having been lost. Harlan says of it, “ This specimen was supposed to have come from the northern parts of North America.” Godman does not mention it. Dr. Richardson quotes Pennant’s description, and states that he did not himself obtain a specimen ; but “ if correct” in considering it as the same as the Whistler of Harmon, “ we may soon hope to know more of it, for the traders who annually cross the Rocky Mountains from Hudson’s Bay to the Columbia and New Caledonia are well acquainted with it.” He also mentions that one, (Harmon’s Whistler, we presume) which was pro- cured for him by a gentleman, was so much injured that he did not think it lit to be sent.” The Doctor then gives the following account of it, and appears to have been quite correct in supposing it identical with the animal referred to by Harmon : “ The Whistler inhabits the Rocky Moun- tains from latitude 45° to 62°, and probably farther both ways : it is not found in the lower parts of the country. It burrows in sandy soil, generally on the sides of grassy hills, and may be frequently seen cutting hay in the autumn, but whether for the purpose of laying it up for food, or merely for lining its burrows, I did not learn. While a party of them are thus occupied, they have a sentinel on the lookout upon an eminence, who gives the alarm on the approach of an enemy, by a shrill whistle, which may be heard at a great distance. The signal of alarm is repeated from one to another as far as their habitations extend. According to Mr. Harmon, they feed on roots and herbs, produce two young at a time, and sit upon their hind-feet when they give their young suck. They do not come abroad in the winter.” “ The Indians take the Whistler in traps set at the mouths of their holes, consider their flesh as delicious food, and, by sewing a number of their skins together, make good blankets.” Our drawing of this Marmot was made from the specimen now in the museum of the Zoological Society of London, which is, we believe, the only one, even at this day, to be found in Europe, with the exception ot a “hunter’s skin” (i. e., one without skull, teeth, or legs), which was pre- sented to the British Museum by Dr. Richardson, and was probably the one he refers to in the extract we have given above from the Fauna Boreali Americana. The specimen in the Zoological Museum is well preserved, the animal, which was alive when presented to the Society by B. King Esq., having died in the Menagerie (Zoological Gardens) in Regent’s Park. The living animal, when we observed it, seemed to be dull and sleepy. Its cage was strewed with grass and herbs, on which it had been feeding. 20 HOARY MARMOT. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. Tlie first specimen of this species was brought to England from Hudsonh Bay. The specimen we have figured was obtained on Captain Back’s expedition. It inhabits the Rocky Mountains from 45° to 62°, and will probably be found both to the north and south of these latitudes. GENERAL REMARKS. It is somewhat remarkable that an animal so large as the Hoary Marmot — so widely diffused throughout the fur countries, where it is seen by traders and hunters — should be so little known to naturalists. When the living animal was brought to the Zoological Gardens it excited much interest, as the existence of the species had for many years been doubted. We spent an hour at the Museum of the Zoological Society in London with Dr. Richardson and Mr. Waterhouse, examining the specimen to which Eschscholz had given the name of A. Calligata ; and we unanimously came to the conclusion that it was the A. Pruinosus. 21 SCIURUS C OLLIJ^I.— Rich. Collie’s Squirrel PLATE CIV.— Males. S. Supra e fresco-nigro fiavoque varius subtus ex flavescente albidus ; magnitudine S. migratorii. CHAKAOTEES. Size of Sciurus Migratorius ; upper parts mottled brownish black and yellow ; under surface cream white. 3YN0NYMES. Sciurus Collia:i. Richardson, Append, to Beechey’s Voyage. “ “ Bachman, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1838 (Monog. of Genus Sciurus). DESCRIPTION. In size and form this species bears some resemblance to the migratory gray Squirrel of the middle or northern States ; the tail, however, in the only specimen which exists in any collection, appears much smaller and less distichous, and the animal, when other specimens are examined, may prove to be intermediate in size between the Carolina gray Squirrel and S. Migratorius. The fur is rather coarse, and the tail appears to be somewhat cylindrical ; ears, of moderate size, ovate, clothed with short hairs on both surfaces, but not tufted. COLOUR. Above, grizzled with black and dull-yellow ; sides of the muzzle, under parts of the body, and inner sides of limbs, dull-white ; tail, moderate, the hairs grayish- white, three times annulated with black. Hairs of the body, both above and beneath, grey at the roots, those on the back having lengthened black tips broadly annulated with dull-yellow. The hairs of the head resemble those of the back, except on the front, where they are annulated with dull-white ; top of the muzzle, brown ; cheeks, greyish ; 22 COLLIE’S SQUIRREL. insides of ears, yellowish, indistinctly freckled with brown ; outsides, grizzled with black and yellow on the forepart, but posteriorly covered with long whitish hairs ; hairs on the feet, black at the roots, white at the tips, the feet and legs being dirty cream-colour, pencilled with dusky ; whiskers, long as the head, composed of bristly black hairs. The above description was taken by us from the specimen in the Zoological Society’s Museum, London ; the skin was not in very good condition, and a portion of the tail was wanting. DIMENSIONS. Length from nose to root of tail, “ of tail to end of hair, Height of ear posteriorly, - Tarsus (including nail), Nose to ear, ... - Inches. Lines. - 10 9 - 9 6 6 - 2 5 - 2 0 HABITS. Our figures of this Squirrel were made from the specimen presented to the Zoological Society of London by Captain Beechey ; the original from which the species was described and named by our friend Dr. Richardson. All the information we have as to the habits of this animal is contained in the above-mentioned appendix (p. 8) : “ Mr. Collie observed this Squirrel, in considerable numbers, sporting on trees at San Bias in California (?), where its vernacular name signifies ‘Little Fox-Squirrel.’ It feeds on fruits of various kinds. Although unwilling to incur the risk of adding to the number of synonymes with which the history of this large genus is already overburdened, I do not feel justified in referring it to any of the species admitted into recent systematic works ; and I have therefore described it as new, naming it in compliment to the able and indefatigable naturalist who procured the specimen.” GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. This species was given by Richardson, as appears by the above quota- tion, as existing at San Bias, California ; this place, however, if we have not mistaken the locality, is in the district of Xalisco in Mexico, and within the tropics ; it is doubtful, therefore, whether the species will be found to inhabit any portion of California. J. W. Audubon did not observe it in his travels through Upper California, COLLIE’S SQUIRREL. 23 GENERAL REMARKS. This species is very nearly allied to Sciurus Aureogaster of F. Ctivier, and it is yet possible that it may prove a variety of that very variable species, in which the under parts of the body are sometimes white, instead of the usual deep-red colour. A specimen of S. Aureogaster in the Museum at Paris has the under parts of the body white, with small patches of red, and with a few scattered red hairs here and there mingled with the white ones. 24 PSEUDOSTOMA DOUGLASII.-Rich. Columbia Pouched-Rat. PLATE CV.— Males. P. Supra fusca, lateribus subrufis, ventre pedibusque pallidioribus, cauda g wporis dimidio longiore.* CHARACTERS. dbove, dusky brown ; reddish on the sides ; paler beneath and mi the feet ; ttx. exceeding half the length of the body. SYNONYME. Gei -