USA > New York > The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 1 > Part 39
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The hedge hog, or more correctly speaking, the urchin, a very extraordinary animal, is an inhabitant of this State. It is nearly as large as the red fox, and of a greyish colour. In its movements it is extremely slow. Its head, back and sides are covered with spines from one to three inches long, and the
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nose, breast and belly with hair. The spines resemble, in some measure, the barrels of quills plucked from the wings of ducks, with this difference, that they are larger, and taper from the center, and terminate in sharp points. Each quill or spine is thickest near the middle, and inserted in the skin of the ani- mal in the same manner that feathers are in a bird. The in- side of the quills is spongy, like those of the goose. The quills are hard and of different colours, such as white, grey and black. They are very sharp at the extremities, and capa- ble of inflicting severe wounds. . They incline backwards like the bristles of a hog, and are partly covered with hair, except when the animal erects them.
These spines or quills are its only weapons of defence. When it is attacked by the panther, the lynx, the wolf, the dog, &c. it puts itself into a posture of defence, by roiling itself up like a ball and erecting its quills. The assailant soon finds some of the quills stuck into his mouth, or some other part, and every effort which he makes to free himself from them, causes them to penetrate the farther. Hence, he is obliged to retire. These quills are barbed, and after they are inserted, they penetrate farther and farther, often occasioning death. This death is, in general. a real starvation, attended with the most excruciating pain. We recollect to have once seen a dog, that had been engaged with one of these animals-his muzzle, jaws, mouth and tongue were filled with the quills ; several had passed through and through his tongue. He was in great distress, two persons held him, while a third extracted the quills with a pair of pincers-some had penetrated three quarters of an inch. The dog went off and never was heard of afterwards.
The quills seem to have a penetrating, as well as an adhesive property.
The hedge hog, when unmolested, is a very inoffensive ani- mal.
The female produces her young once a-year ; the time of gestation is said to be about forty days, and she generally brings forth three or four at a birth.
The ordinary weight of the hedge hog is about cighteen
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pounds. It subsists on the roots and bark of trees, and on berries and fruit. Its meat is highly prized by some.
The hedge hog, on the approach of cold weather, retires iuto the earth, or the hollow of some tree, and sinks into a torpid state, in which it remains till the following spring, when it is resuscitated by the vernal heat.
The Indians embroider their belts, moccasins, and some other things, with the quills.
The hedge hog is found in considerable numbers ju the western counties, but in the castern it is rarely seen.
Black Mole-This animal lives in and about the water. _ It differs from the European. It is seen in greatest numbers, in those parts of the State abounding in marshes.
The meadow mole is twice or thrice as large as the house mouse, and of a similar colour, only it is darker. Its eyes are very small and hardly visible. . It lives in meadows and marsh- es, and burrows under old logs, tufts of grass, heaps of stones, and other rubbish, where it makes for itself a nest out of grass. In winter these animals form small covered ways in meadows, near and at the surface, in order to obtain food. Some of these extend rods, and have branches divergent on all sides. in making these, they eradicate the roots of grass, and destroy every thing ; if perchance an apple tree, or other tree, of small size, should stand in the way, they are sure to bark it. 'The grass and stubble they raise in the forin of an arch, which con- stitutes a warm and very convenient covering for them. They often commit great depredations in meadows, generally select- ing those parts where there is considerable mould and vega- table earth ; the roots and grass being larger, more abundant and nutritious.
The beaver is still found in some of our forests. It is some- what shaped like a rat, except the tail, which is broad, that, and covered with scales. Its length, from the end of its nose to the root of its tail, is from two feet four, to two fect eight inches, and its height from fourteen to sixteen inches. "The tail, which is flat, is ten or twelve inches long, and five or six inches broad, tapering to a point, somewhat like a trowel, and about one inch
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thick. Its legs are short and strong, and furnished with toes and webs. The toes are on the fore feet, and the web's on the hind. Its teeth are long, broad, strong and sharp. Four of these, two in the upper, and two in the lower jaw, are called in- cisors, and project from one to two inches. Its head is shaped like that of the rat, and inclined to the earth. Its body rises very much like an arch. The colour differs in different climates- with us it is brown-while in the northern parts of Canada, and around Hudson's bay, it is black. The fur is of two sorts, all over the body ; the long and the short, or the coarse and the fine. The former is generally about an inch long, but on the back it is sometimes two inches, gradually shortening towards the head and tail, and is of little or no use. The latter is called the fur, and consists of a very fine and thick down, about three quarters of an inch long, and is that which is used in the ma- nufacture of hats. Castor, which is in some use as a medicine, is found in the body of the beaver.
The beaver varies very much in size, weighing from forty to sixty pounds.
Among no class of animals does the social compact appear stronger than among beavers. In the months of June and July they collect together, and form themselves into a small commonwealth, that is to exist for nearly a year .- Formerly these commonwealths contained from one to three hundred, but at present they are much less numerous, in consequence of the destruction made by hunters.
The place of meeting is commonly the place where they fix their abode, and this is always by the side of some river, stream, lake or pond. If it be a lake or pond, they dispense with building a dam; but if it be a river or stream, they then set about building a dam across it. The site which they select, on such occasions, is always one where they can form a pond, every way convenient for their purpose. And such is their un- derstanding and foresight, that they never select a situation that will not answer their purpose.
Their dams are either direct, circular, or with angles, ac- . cording to circumstances. The materials of which these dams
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are constructed, are wood and earth. The situation being se- lected and fixed upon, they begin the dam. If there be a tree, which would naturally fall across the stream, several of the beavers set about cutting it down with their teeth. When this operation is performed, and the tree ready to fall, one gives the signal by striking with his tail upon the water. This is always observed when they fall trees. The centinal takes his post when the tree is nearly cut down, and, as soon as it begins to fall, announces it.
Trees, twenty inches in diameter, are thus thrown across the stream. The next operation is to cut off all the limbs, that the trunk may assume a level position. Others, at the same time, are employed in cutting down smaller trees, and saplings, from one to ten or twelve inches in diameter. These, after felled, they cut into convenient lengths. Some drag the pieces of wood to the bank, and launch them into the stream, where they are taken by others and floated down to the place where the dam is to be built. As soon as a sufficiency of materi- als are on the spot, so that they can begin to build the dam, a large number engage in laying the pieces of timber, which may be called the raising of the dam. The lower ends of the pieces of timber are sunk in the earth, and buried, while the upper rest on the tree thrown across the stream. Such seems to be the construction of the dam, in its incipient state. While this part of the work is going on, others are engaged in carrying earth in their mouths, formed into a kind of mortar, with their feet and tails. This they spread over, and lay be- tween the pieces of timber and stakes, filling up the interstices. Limbs, brush, twigs, grass and moss are also used with the mortar in closing up the holes and chinks. When this opera- tion is done, they commence a second tier upon the top of the first, and so on until they have raised the dam to. a sufficient height.
The dam, when completed, is from six to twelve feet wide at the bottom, and from two to three at the top. That side of the dam which is opposed to the stream, has a slope or de- clivity, while that side down, which the water descends, is per-
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pendicular. The timbers and stakes, in the one case, are placed sloping, and in the other, perpendicular. The length of the dam varies according to the size of the stream, and other cir- cumstances, but seldom exceeds one hundred feet.
The ponds which are formed by these dams, are of differ- ent dimensions, varying from five acres to five hundred. They generally cover lands which abound with trees and bushes of softish wood, such as willow, alder, poplar, birch, soft ma- ple, &c. 1
The better to preserve their dams, the beavers always leave sluices or passages near the middle for the redundant waters. These sluices or passages are generally about eighteen inches in width and depth, and as many in number as the waters of the stream require.
When the dam is finished, the beavers separate into small bodies to build their houses. These are built upon piles along the borders of the pond, and are of an oval form, resembling cocks of hay .. They vary in their dimensions from four to ten or twelve feet in diameter, exclusive of the walls, according to the number of families which they are designed to accommodate. They never have less than two stories, generally three, some- times four. The walls are two or three feet thick at the bottom. They rise perpendicularly about three feet, and then assume a curved form, and terminate in a dome or vault, which answers the purpose of a roof. These edifices are constructed with the same materials as their dams, and have much solidity and neat- ness. They are smooth within but rough without. They pre- clude both rain and cold. The lower story is about two feet high ; the second story has a floor of sticks covered with mud ; the third story is divided' from the second in the same manner, and terminated by the roof. Through each floor there is a door of communication, and the upper story is always above the level of the water. Each edifice has two doors ; the one on the land side, to enable them to go out for provisions, and other purposes ; the other, under the water, and below where it freezes, to preserve their communication with the pond. If the pond at VOL. I.
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any time begins to be covered with ice, it is immediately broken, that the communication with the air may not be cut off.
The smallest of their edifices contains one family, consisting generally of five or six beavers, and the largest from twenty to thirty.
'The male and female always pair. In September they lay up their store of winter provisions. This consists of bark and the tender twigs of trees, and various kinds of soft wood. When this is done the season of repose commences. They remain in their houses during the winter, enjoying the fruits of their la- bours. Towards the end of the winter, the females bring forth their young, to the number of three or four. Soon after the male retires to gather fish and vegetables, as the spring opens ; but the female remains at home to nurse and bring up her young. The male occasionally returns, but not to tarry until the fall. But if any injury be done to their dam, the whole society soon collect and repair it.
'The utmost harmony pervades these commonwealths. Every family knows its own room and stores. Different common- wealths of beavers never make war upon one another, or upon other animals. When they are attacked by their enemies, they instantly plunge into the water to escape ; and when they can- not escape, they fall an easy prey. When an enemy approaches their little domain, the beaver which makes the discovery, by striking on the water with his tail, gives notice to the whole society of the danger, and all of them immediately plunge into the water.
The beaver is eagerly sought after by hunters, on account of the richness of its fur, and the high demand it is in. They take them in traps and otherwise. In the winter, when their ponds are covered with ice, the hunters go to their houses and drive them into the water, and then post themselves at the holes which the beavers have made in the ice, and wait till they come to those places to breath and obtain fresh air, when they knock them in the head with hatchets. Sometimes they succeed in Killing every member of the society.
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At the commencement of the colonization, and for a century after, these animals were numerous, and found in almost every part of the State, but at present there are very few, and these live mostly in the forest between the Mohawk and the St. Law- rence rivers.
For part of the foregoing description of the beaver, we re-
fer the reader to Williams' History of Vermont. 1.
Muskrat-This animal is about fifteen inches in length, from the end of its nose to the root of its tail, and its body about one foot in circumference. The tail is about ten inches long ; its body is short and thick ; its neck and head small ; its nose pointed ; its legs short and strong, and its feet armed with claws.
The colour of its body is grey, with some reddish hair. The whole conformation of this animal, if we except its tail, which is flat, bears a strong resemblance to that of a house rat. In its nature, however, it approaches nearer the beaver than almost any other animal. Like the beaver, when undis- turbed, they live in societies, on the borders of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. They generally select marshy grounds.
They construct their habitations with sticks, grass and mud. These habitations are from four to five feet in height, and about as large as a common cock of hay, and somewhat in the same shape. The avenues leading into them, are usually covered. The one leads to the water, and the other in an opposite di- . rection. The former is intended to afford a retreat to the water, in case of an attack by an enemy, and the latter for all other purposes. Several families reside in the same habitation.
They do not lay up their winter stock like the beaver. Their food consists of roots, grass and plants.
The female has from four to six at a litter.
In spring they disperse in pairs, and do not re-assemble be- fore autumn.
The muskrat has a strong fetid smell, faiutly resembling musk. This animal is quite inoffensive. Its fur is in consider- able demand among hatters.
At present there are very few muskrats in the cultivated
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country, and these seldom construct habitations, probably from an apprehension that it would lead to a discovery of their abode.
Considerable numbers still remain in the northern forest. These usually reside on the margins of the ponds and lakes so plentifully distributed over that region, and along the banks of rivers and streams.
The rabbit is found in our forests, and in the woods in the cultivated parts. "In form and habit it resembles the hare, but it is rather smaller. It subsists on vegetables, grass and clover. Its ordinary colour, in summer, is a lightish grey, and in win- ter, a dirty white, or black. It makes a hole in the ground, on the declivity of some hill or rise, which serves it for a habita- tion, and a retreat in case of danger. It is very swift on foot, and is seldom taken unless by surprise, The rabbit is a very harmless and timorous creature, and flees upon the slightest alarm.
The female produces six or seven times in a-year, and has from four to eight at a litter. The period of gestation is about thirty days.
The rabbit. is easily domesticated. It is a very lively, sprightly and playful animal. In a domestic state they are larger than in a state of nature. Their colours are also more various.
Like the hare, it has four cutting teeth, two above and two. below, and five toes on each foot.
The hare is about fifteen inches in length when full grown, and weighs seven or eight pounds. It has four cutting teeth, two in the upper jaw and two in the lower, and five toes on, each foot. . Its body is short and thick ; its legs are long, and > its ears large and pointed. It has large prominent eyes, placed backwards in its head, so that it can almost see behind as it runs. The hinder legs are considerably longer than the fore. Its colour is white.
The hare subsists on grass, plants, and the twigs and bark of young trees. It is very prolific. The period of gestation , is about thirty days. The female bears three or four at a time, and has several litters in the course of a year.
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The hare is very timid, and altogether inoffensive. It is one of the swiftest animals in the world, but it cannot hold out like the wolf, the fox, and the dog. . It. feeds by night.
The hare is chiefly an inhabitant of the northern forest. : Squirrels-Of this animal there are four species. and two va-' rieties :- we shall commence with the grey. It would be more correct to say, three species, because the flying squirrel be- longs to a separate genus.
The grey squirrel is the largest, and is found in almost every part of the State. It is about eleven or twelve inches in length, exclusive of the tail, which is as long as the whole body. It builds its nest in the hollow or crotch of a tree, with leaves, sticks and moss. The female bears her young in the spring, and has generally three or four at a time.
The grey squirrel subsists on mast and corn. In autumn it lays up provisions for winter in the hollow of some tree. On the approach of cold weather, it secludes itself, and seldom makes its appearance before spring. ri.
The grey squirrel is a beautiful animal. It is active, playful and industrious. It is easily domesticated.
It rarely ventures into the fields unless there be trees. It ascends the tallest trees, and where the tops interlock, it passes from tree to tree with great rapidity.
The black squirrel resembles the grey in all respects but size and colour, being somewhat smaller. It is merely a variety of the same species, distinguishable from those two circumstan- ces. Like the grey, it, in the fall, lays up provisions for the en- suing winter, and on the approach of cold weather, withdraws, seldom showing itself before spring.
Both the black and the grey squirrel migrate in some sea- . sons from one tract of country to another. These migrations are in general occasioned by a defect in mast. Many die with famine in seasons of scarcity. They are more numerous after two or three years of plenty, than after a year of scarcity.
The red squirrel is not over seven inches in length, from the end of its nose to root of its tail. It has a red list along its back; grey on its sides, and white under its, belly and neck.
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It differs in some respects from the common red squirrel of Europe. It lives on mast, corn and seeds. It is extremely active, and very nimble. It ascends and descends trees with great facility. It is noisy, bold and impudent.
The red squirrel is found in all parts of the State, and often io great numbers. They commit great ravages in wheat and corn fields, and especially in those adjoining woods and coppices.
Their numbers seem to have increased with the improve- ments. In those seasons when mast is not plenty, great num- bers die during winter with famine.
The striped squirrel is still less than the red. Its colour is a deep yellow, bordering on red. It has a stripe of black along is back ; at the distance of about half an inch on each side is a stripe of white, bordered with very narrow stripes of black. Its belly is white. In the male, the colours are brighter, and better defined than in the female. It subsists ou mast, corn, wheat, &c. and is very destructive to fields of grain adjoining woods. It burrows in the ground, and has a predeliction for woods timbered mostly with beach and chesnut. It never as- cends trees unless it be for safety, and then it comes down on the first opportunity.
The striped squirrel lays up mast, wheat and corn for its winter store. These it carries in its mouth, which it can dis- tend sufficiently for the reception of half a gill. It is never seen in the winter. These animals are found in great numbers in almost every part of the State.
The flying squirrel is something less than the striped. Its . skin is very soft, and elegantly adorned with fine hair. The colour of its back and sides is a dark grey, and its belly and breast white. Its eyes are large, black, prominent and lively ; its ears are small, and its teeth long and very sharp. It is distinguished from all other animals, by the peculiar conforma- tion of its wings and legs.
The wings to which its legs are attached, are composed of two skins, or webs, of a very singular formation, extending from the fore feet to the hinder. These webs, whenever the animal stretches its fore legs forward, and its hinder backwards, are
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spread out between them, somewhat like those of a bat, and aid it in passing from one tree to another, without coming to the ground. Its tail, likewise, which is flat, serves to direct and assist it. When it wishes to pass from one tree to another, it mounts to a sufficient height, and then descends in a right line, falling at an angle with the horizon, of about forty-five degrees. The distance, sometimes, exceeds forty feet, while at others it falls short.
The wings, when the animal reposes, walks or runs, are contracted on its sides. It mounts trees with great nimble- ness. It feeds on buds, bark, seeds, &c. It is a solitary creature, and generally resides in the hollow of some decayed tree. It is readily domesticated. It is inoffensive.
The water rat is about the size of the common house or barn rat. It is brown on its back and sides, and white under the belly. It subsists on aquatic animals.
The wood rat is not half as large as the house rat, and dwells in woods, swamps and marshes. In form, it has a striking resemblance to the house rat. Its colour is a darkish brown, bordering on black .. It is more agile and swift than the house rat. It is said that they construct for themselves habitations two of there feet high.
The wood mouse resides in the woods, as its name imports, in swampy and moist places, abounding with brush wood. It is larger than the house mouse, and of a darker colour. It is swifter on foot, and more active and hardy than the house mouse.
The shrew mouse is the smallest quadruped found in the State. Its length does not exceed two inches and a-half. The head looks something like that of the mole ; the ears are want- ing ; the eyes are very small ; the nose long, pointed, and fur- nished with long hairs. The colour is very much like that of the house mouse-they live in the woods.
The jerboa is rarely seen. It is about as large as the house mouse, but has longer legs. It is very nimble when pursued, and makes leaps of two or three feet. It is not seen between October and April.
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: The woodchuck is found in. all parts of the State. It is a sluw, clumsy animal. Its length, from the nose to the insertion of the tail, is about fifteen, inches. The tail is small and mo- derately long, and covered with long coarse black hair. Its head is small and flatish'; its nose pointed ; its ears short, round- ed and erect ; its neck and body thick, and its legs short. The upper'and lower cutting teeth are bevelled ; the grinders are eighteen in number, ten in the lower, and eight in the upper, jaw. Its cheeks have no pouches. Its body is brown, with some grey bairs. It burrows in the ground. Its food consists of pulse, vegetables, clover, &c. It is generally fat, except in the spring. Its meat is eaten by some. The female has five or six at a litter.
The woodchuck, on the approach of cold weather, retires to its burrow, where it becomes torpid, and remains in that con- dition till roused by the warmth of spring. In the selection of a place for its burrow, it generally chooses loamy lands, and the south or southeast side of a hill, or rise of ground.
The woodchuck, in some respects, resembles the marmotte of the Alps. Like that animal, it burrows in the earth, and in cold weather passes to the torpid state. Like that animal, it subsists on pulse, grass, and vegetables. Some naturalists, and among others, the celebrated Buffon, have called it the monax, or marmotte. It is probably a distinct genus from the mar- motte of the Alps. The woodchuck inhabits all the northern and - middle Fredish States. The numbers diminish as the country is cleared. It is rarely seen in those parts which have been cultivated for a century, and which are well peopled. It is susceptible of domestication, and when kept in a warm room during cold weather, receives food, and continues lively all the year. The room, however. must be kept constantly warm, otherwise it sinks to the torpid state. '
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