USA > Vermont > History of Vermont, natural, civil, and statistical, in three parts, with a new map of the state, and 200 engravings > Part 7
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sometimes called the Pelan, or the Pekan Weasel, or the Fisher Weasel.
THE PINE MARTIN. Mustela martes .- LINNAEUS.
DESCRIPTION .- General color, fulvous brown, varying in different individuals, and at different seasons, from bright ful- vous, to brownish black ; bright yellow under the throat ; hair of the tail longer, coarser and darker than that of the body ; the color on all parts darker and more lustrons, and the fur more valuable in winter than in summer ; nose and legs, at all seasons, dark, and the tip of the ears light. The fur of this animal is of two kinds, one coarse and the other fine and downy. The usual length of the head and body, 18 inches ; tail, 9.
HISTORY .- In Vermont the name of Mar- tin and Sable are indifferently applied to this animal, but the latter incorrectly, as the trne sable is not found in this country. In works on natural history it is usually de- nominated the Pine Martin. This animal was formerly very plentiful in most parts of the state, but it is at present chiefly confined to the mountainous and woody portions. Though small it is much hunt- ed for its fine and valuable fur, which, with the clearing and settling of the coun- try, has very much reduced their nun- bers. Many are, however, still taken on the forest-clad mountains along the cen- tral part of the state. They are usually caught in traps baited with some kind of fresh meat. Their food consists of mice, hares, partridges, and other birds. They often rob birds nests of their eggs, or young, and will ascend trees for that pur- pose, or to escape pursuit. When its re- treat is cut off, it will turn upon its assail- ant, arch its back, erect its hair and hiss and snarl like a cat. It will sometimes seize a dog by the nose and bite so hard, that, unless the latter is accustomed to the combat, it suffers the little animal to es- cape. It is sometimes tamed and will manifest considerable attachment to its master, but never becomes docile. Mar- tins burrow in the ground. The female is smaller than the male. Her time of gestation is said to be only six weeks, and she brings forth from four to seven at a
32
33
QUADRUPEDS OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 2.
THE SKUNK.
THE AMERICAN OTTER.
grown martin weighs about four pounds. The price of prime skins is from $1, to $1.25.
GENUS MEPHITIS .- Cuvier.
Generic Characters .- Teeth 34-incis- ors, ", canine 1-1, grinders 4-3 ; canines strong and conical ; superior tuberculous teeth ve- ty large and as broad as they are long ; the inferi- or grinders with two tubercles on the inside. Ilcad short ; nose projecting ; feet five toed, hairy on the bottom, and furnished with nails suitable for digging ; truuk of the tail of moderate length, or very short ; hair of tho body long, that of the tail very long ; and glands, which secrete an excessively fetid liquor.
THE SKUNK.
Mephitis americana .-- DESM.
DESCRIPTION .- General color black, with a white spot between the ears, which often extends along the sides towards the hips in the form of the letter V, and a nar- tow strip of white in the face ; tail bushy, tipped with white; nails of the fore feet strong and about the length of the palm ; hair on the head short, longer on the body and very long on the tail. Length from the nose to the insertion of the tail 16 inch- es, head 44 inches, body 11} inches, tail (trunk 10, tuft 4) 14 inches.
HisTORY .- The skunk is a very com- mon animal in Vermont, It is not con- fined to the forests, nor to the thinly set- tled parts of the country, but frequently makes its residence in the midst of our villuges. During the day ho shelters him- self in stone walls, or beneath barns, or out buildings, and prowls for his food du- ring the night. This consists of eggs, young birds, mice and other small quad- rupeds and reptiles. Hle frequently does considerable mischief in our poultry yards, by the destruction of eggs and fowls. What renders this animal most remarka- ble is its peculiar weapon of defence. When pursued, or attacked, it has the power of ejecting in the face of its enemy a fluid of the most nauseating and stifling scent, which exists in nature. This fluid is secreted by glands situated near the root of the tail, and seems to be designed wholly asn means of defence, being total- ly independent of the ordinary evacua- tions. When undi: turbed the skunk has Pr. .. 5
no disagreeable odor, and whole nests of them may lie under a barn floor for months, without betraying their presence by their scent. The flesh of the skunk when the odorous parts have been removed is well flavored and wholesome food.
GENUS LUTRA .- Briss.
Generic Characters .- Teeth 36-Incis- ors, 5, canines 1-1, grinders 5-5 ; canines of moderate length and hooked ; the first superior grinder small and blunt, the second and third cut- ting, the fourth with a stroug spur on the inner side, the fifth with three external points and a broad internal spur : the inferior vary from five to six but resemble the superior. Head large and flattened ; ears short and round ;; body very long, and low upon the legs ; tail long, flattened hori- zontally and tapering ; feet webbed ; nails crooked and sharp ; body covered with a fine fur mixed with long brisdy hairs ; two small oval glands se- creting a fetid liquor.
THE AMERICAN OTTER. Lutra brasiliensis .- DESM.
DESCRIPTION .- Color dark reddish glos- sy brown ; pale or whitish about the throat and face ; head globular ; neck long ; body long and cylindrical; tail depressed at the base ; feet webbed, short and strong ; 5 toes on the anterior feet, and 4 with the rudiment of a 5th on the posterior. To- tal length of one of the largest size, 4 feet ; length of the head 42 inches, tail 17 inches, height 10 inches, circumfer- ence at the middle of the back 19 inches.
HISTORY .- The Otter lives in holes in the banks of creeks and rivers, and feeds principally upon fish, frogs and other small animals. They were formerly very common in this state, particularly along the streams which fall into lake Cham- plain and lake Memphremagog. Otter Creck derives its name from the great abundance of otter, which formerly in- habited its banks. They are now become scared, but are occasionally taken at sev- eral places within the state.
The Otter is an active, strong and vora - cious animal. When attacked and una- ble to escape they fight with great fierce- ness, and when fully grown are more than a match for a common-sized dog. The teeth of the Otter are sharp and strong
PANT I.
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
THE COMMON WOLF.
THE COMMON WOLL.
and his bite very severe. His legs are very short and his feet webbed, on which account he seems to be better fitted for swimming than for running upon land ; and he is so eminently aquatic in his hab- its that he is seldom seen at much distance from the water. This animal when fully grown measured according to Dr. Wil- liams; 5 or six feet in length and weighed about 30 pounds, but the total length of those taken at present seldom exceeds 4 feet. The price of the skin is at pres- ent from 5 to 7 dollars, but it has been at times in such demand as to be worth 10 or 12 dollars.
GENUS CANIS .- Linnaeus.
Generic Characters .- Teeth 42-Incis- ors, ", canine 1-1, grinders @-§. The three first grinders in the upper jaw are small and edged, and are termed false molars, or grinders ; the great carnivorous tooth above bicusped, with a small tubercle on the inner side, and two tubercul- lous teeth behind each of the carnivorous ones. Muzzlo elongated, naked and rounded at the ex- tremity ; tongue smooth, cars pointed and erect in the wild species ; fore feet with 5 toes and hind feet with 4, having robust nails.
THE COMMON WOLF. Canis lupus .- LINNAEUS.
DESCRIPTION .- General color yellow- ish or reddish gray, blackish on the shoul- ders and rump, and yellowish white be- neath, but varying much according to age and climate, being in some cases nearly black and in others almost white .* On the back and sides there is usually an intermixture of long black, and white hairs with a grayish wool, which partially ap- pears, giving to those parts a grayish hue, which deepens along the back into black ; hair on the back part of the cheeks, bushy ; tail straight and bushy like that of the fox and nearly the color of the back ; eyes oblique ; ears erect; teeth very strong.
Length of the specimen in the collections of the College of Natural History of the Vermont University, from the nose to the tail 4 feet 3 inches, tail 17 inches ; height at the shoulder 2 feet .*
HisTonY .- For some years after the set- tlement of this state was commenced, wolves were so numerous and made such havoc of the flocks of sheep, that the keep- ing of sheep was a very precarious busi- ness. At some seasons particularly in the winter they would prowl through the settlements by night in large companies, destroying whole flocks in their way, and, after merely drinking their blood and per- haps eating a small portion of the choicest and tenderest parts, would leave the car- cases scattered about the enclosure and go in quest of new victims. Slaughter and destruction seemed their chief de- light; and while marauding the country they kept up such horrid and prolonged howlings as were calculated, not only to thrill terror through their timorous vic- tims, but to appall the hearts of the in- habitants of the neighborhood. Though the sheep seems to be their favorite victim, wolves sometimes destroy calves, dogs, and other domestic animals; and in the forest they prey upon deer, foxes, hares and such other animals as they can take. Impelled by hunger they have been known in this state to attack persons,* but they usually flee from the presence of man. The wolf bears a strong resem- blance to our domestic dog ; is equally prolific, and its time of gestation is said to be the same. It produces its young in the early part of summer, having from four to eight at a birth. Between the dog and the wolf prolific hybrids have often been produced, which however partake more of the nature of the wolf than of the dog.
Wolves have always been so great an annoyance that much pain have been ta- ken for their extermination, but at pres- ent, their number is so much reduced that comparatively very little damage is done by them in this state. The legis- lature, however, continues in force a law, giving a bounty of $20 for the destruc- tion of each grown wolf within the state, and $10 for each'sucking whelp of a wolf; and the amount paid annually for wolf certificates is usually from one to two hun- dred dollars. The largest wolves killed in Vermont have weighed from 90 to 100 pounds. The only part of the wolf which is valuable is its skin, which affords a warm and durable fur.
*Difference of colour has been the occasion of the division of this species into the following varieties :
Variety I. Lupus griseus, Common Gray Wolf.
66 2. Lupus albus,
3. Lupus sticte,
White Wolf.
Pied Wolf.
4. Lupus nubilus: Dusky Wolf.
5. Lupus ater, Black Wolf.
* This specimon is distorted by too much sinding. It was killed in Addison county about ten years ago. *Williams Hist. I. 101.
1792582
CHIAP. 2.
QUADRUPEDS OF VERMONT
35
THE RED FOX.
THE CROSS FOI.
THE RED FOX. Canis fulous .- DESMAREST.
DESCRIPTION .- General color yellow- ish red, or straw yellow, less brilliant to- wards the tail ; chin white ; breast dark gray ; belly whitish, tinged with red to- wards the tail; fronts of the legs and feet black ; tail very bushy and less ferrugin- ous than the body, the hairs being mostly terminated with black, giving it a dark ap- pearance, with usually a few white hairs at the tip; cyes near to each other ;-- length of the head and body 28 inches ; tail inelnding the hair 16 inches ; height of the shoulder 13 inches.
HISTORY .- The Fox has always been proverbial for slyness and cunning, and to illustrate these traits of character in the human species this animal has been largely taxed by fabulists, particularly by Esop, who composed his fables 2400 years, ago. Foxes have their residence chiefly in holes, which they dig in the earth, or of which they get possession by ejecting the woodchuck from his. These burrows have two or more entrances and usually extend under ledges of rocks or roots of trees so that digging out the animal is of- ten attended with considerable labor. Though sometimes seen skulking about in the day time, or basking in the sun, THE AMERICAN CROSS FOX. Canis fulous .- Var. decussalus. the Fox does not usually venture much abroad excepting in the night. He then prowls for his prey through the woods and fields and even among our out-build- ings. His food consists of hares, rats, mice, small birds and poultry. He is said sometimes to feed upon frogs, snails and insects, and is fond of several kinds of berries and fruits. The fable of the fox and sour grapes, shows that the partiality of this animal for the fruit of the vine was understood in the days of ÆEsop. The Fox is a great annoyance in many parts of the state, sometimes destroying young lambs and often making great hav- oc among the poultry. A bounty of 25 cents each has been for several years IlIsTORY .- Instead of considering the Cross Fox a distinct species, as most A- merican writers have done, I have con- cluded to adopt the opinion of Dr. Rich- ardson, who regards it merely as a variety paid for killing Foxes within the state ; and the amount paid out of the treasury on this account has varied from $1000 to $2000 annually, showing that from 4000 to 8000 foxes have been annually destroy- | of the common fox. In form and size
ed. The law authorizing the bounty was repealed in 1841.
The red Fox is the common fox in Ver- mont, as well as in all the northern parts of the United States and Canada. Much doubt has existed with regard to the iden- tity of this fox with the common fox of Europe, Canis vulpes, but it is at present re- garded by the best naturalists as a distinct species. The particulars in which the two species differ are pointed out by Dr. Richardson in his Fauna Boreali America- na, Vol. I. p. 91. This fox is sometimes taken in traps, but he is so sly and sus- picious that to trap for him successfully requires mich skill. The best fox hunters attribute their success to the use of assa- futida or castoreum, with which they rub their traps, believing the foxes to be attracted by such perfumes. The fox is however more commonly taken in Ver- mont, by being shot under the pursuit of the hound. When the hound is put upon their track they do not retreat directly to their holes, nor lead off to any considera- ble distance in one direction, but take a circuit around the base of some hill which they will often encompass many times be- fore they proceed to their burrows. The hunter, knowing this to be the habit of the fox, can judge of the course he will take and is enabled to place himself in a situation to shoot the animal as it passes. The skins of red foxes, if prime, are al- ways valuable and the price for several years past has been from $1 to $1,25 and sometimes a little higher according to quality. The fox is a prolific animal. It produces its young usually in April and has from three to six at a litter.
DESCRIPTION .- A blackish stripe pass- ing from the neck down the back and another crossing it at right angles over the shoulders; sides ferruginous, running into gray on the back ; the chin, legs and under parts of the body black, with a few hairs tipped with white ; upper side of the tail gray ; under side and parts of the body adjacent, pale yellow ; tail tipped with white. The cross upon the shoul- ders is not always apparent even in speci- mens, which, from the fineness of the fur, are acknowledged to be Cross Foxes. Size the same as the common Fox.
36
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART I.
THE BLACK, OR SILVER FOX.
THE LYNX.
the Cross Fox agrees very nearly with the red fox, and differs from it chiefly in color, and perhaps a little in the fineness of its fur. The skin of the Cross Fox bears a much higher price than the red fox, which is owing almost entirely to the color. The price of a prime skin of this fox in Vermont is from $1,50 to $2,50.
THE BLACK, OR SILVER FOX. Canis fulous .- Var. argentatus.
DESCRIPTION .- Color sometimes entire- ly black and shining, with the exception of the tip of the tail, which is white ; but more commonly hoary on some parts from an intermixture of hairs tipped with white; the nose, legs, sides of the neck, black, or nearly so; fur long and thick upon the body and tail, and short on the paws and face ; soles of the feet covered with woolly fur. One of the largest of this variety measured from the nose to the insertion of the tail 31 inches, and the tail, includ- ing the hair, 18 inches.
HISTORY .- The Black or Silver Fox is regarded by Dr. Richardson as another va- riety of the common fox. It is much less common than the preceding variety and usually grows to a larger size. It has sometimes been taken in Vermont, but very seldom. Its fur is exceedingly valu- able, prime skins being worth from $10 to $15 cach.
There is another variety in Vermont, whichis not uncommon, called the Sampson For. The fur is coarse resembling wool and of little value. The Gray Fox, Canis virginianus, is said to have been taken in this state, but as I have seen no Vermont specimen, it is here omitted. As we have before said, it is disputed whether our common red fox is, or is not identical with the common fox of Europe. Harlan, Godman, Richardson, and others, de- scribe it as a distinct species. But Dr. McMurtrie, the translator of Cuvier's An- imal Kingdom, says that the Canis fulvus, or American red fox, is identical with the European, and was introduced into the United States many years ago by some Englishmen, who thought they afforded better sport than the American species .*
GENUS FELIS .- Linnaus.
Generic Characters .- Teeth 30-Incis- ors G, canines 1-1, grinders 3-4. Inferior in- cisors forming a regular series ; canines very strong ; grinders, above, two conical ones on each side, one carnivorous one with three lobes and a small tuberculous one, below, two false compres- sed simple grinders and one carnivorous bicusped. Head round, jaws short, tongue aculealed ; cars
in general short and triangular ; pupils of the eyes in some circular and in bihers vertically oval ; fore feet with 5 toes, bind feet with 4, all furnished with long sharp retractile claws.
THE LYNX. Felis canadensis .- LINNAEUS.
DESCRIPTION .- General aspect hoary, sometimes mottled ; lighter and yellow- ish beneath, the extremity of the hairs be- ing white, and below, yellowish brown ; head rounded ; ears erect, terminated with black pencils or tufts, 14 inch long, black at the tip, with a black border on the posterior side. Anterior border yel- lowish. Base of the jaws surrounded by a fringe of long hair, intermixed with gray black and white ; brownish around the mouth, white beneath ; whiskers black and white ; tail terminated with black ; legs yellowish ; toes 4 on each foot, much spread ; nails sharp, white and concealed in long silky fur or hair. Total length 3 feet 4 inches ; tail 5 inches. Height of the back I foot 4 inches ; height of the car 13 inches.
HISTORY .- The Lynx was never very greatly multiplied in Vermont, but when the country was new, it was frequently met with, and individuals have been ta- ken occasionally, down to the present time. It resembles in fiereeness and subt- lety the other animals of the cat kind, preying upon hares, rabbits, mice and oth- er small animals. Nor does it confine itself to small game, but sometimes des- troys larger animals, such as deer, sheep, calves &c. This it is said to do by drop- ping upon them from branches of trees, clinging upon their necks with their sharp claws and opening their jugular veins and drinking their blood. Sheep and lambs have sometimes been destroyed by them in this state. This animal is found in large numbers in the vicinity of Hudson's Bay. Their skins are valnable and the Hudson Bay Company procure annually from seven to nine thousand of them. The tlesh of the Lynx is used for food and is said to resemble that of the hare. It is a timid animal and makes but little defence when attacked. Its gait is by bounds but not swift. It swims well and will cross lakes 2 miles wide. It breeds once a year and has two young at a time.
+ Cuvier's Animal Kingdom, Vol. 1, p. 433.
37
QUADRUPEDS OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 2.
THE BAY LYNX.
THE CATAMOUNT.
THE BAY LYNX. Felis rufa .- GUILDENSTED.
DESCRIPTION .- Color yellowish, or red- dish brown. Inferior parts of the throat white, or whitish. Eyes encircled with a whitish band. Front and portions about the upper lip striped with darkish ; irides yellow. Ears short, tufted with black hair springing from the back of the ear, hear the tip. Inside of the legs spotted with brown. Tail short, terminated with dark brown, and obscurely banded .- Fringe of hair longer than in other parts near the base of the jaw. Ears surround- ed posteriorly with a black border, within which is a triangular patch of yellowish white. Length of the head and body, 2 ft. 3 inches ; tail, 4 inches ; height, 16 inches.
HISTORY .- This animal has been fre- qnently met with in our woods, and has perhaps been most generally known by the name of Wild Cat. It is, however, to be distinguished from the smaller wild cats with long tails, which are met with, and which have probably sprung from the domestic cat. In its habits it resembles the preceding species, preying upon squir- rels, birds, and other small animals. This animal is now very rare, being only occa- sionally seen, in the most unsettled parts of the State.
07
THE CATAMOUNT. Felis concolor .- LINNAEUS.
DESCRIPTION .- General color, brown- ish red on the back, reddish gray on the sides, and whitish or light ash on the bel- ly ; tail, the same color as the back, ex- cepting the extremity, which is brown- ish black, not tufted; chin, upper lip, and inside of the cars, yellowish white; the hairs on the hack are short, thick, brownish, and tipped with red; on the
sides and belly, longer, looser, lighter, and tipped with white ; hairs of the face like the back, with whitish hairs inter- mingled, giving it a reddish gray tinge ; body long, head round, jaws strong ; teeth strong; canines conical ; claws strong, retractile, and of a pearly white color. Dimensions of the specimen from which the above description is drawn- length from the nose to the tail, 4 ft. 8 inches ; tail, 2 ft. 6 inches; from the top of the head to the point of the nose, 10 inches; width across the forehead, 8 in- ches; length of the fore legs, 1 ft. 2 in- ches ; the hind legs, 1 ft. 4 inches.
HISTORY .- This ferocious American an - imal has been known in different places under a great variety of different names. In the southern and western parts of the United States it is called the Congar, Painter, or American Lion ; in New Eng- land it is known by the name of Cata- mount, or Panther ; while in Europe it has more commonly borne the name of Puma. This is the largest and most for- midable animal of the cat kind found in America. In form it bears considerable resemblance to the domestic cat, but when fully grown is about two-thirds the size of a lion. It, however, differs from the lion in not having the tail tufted, and the male being without a mane. These animals, though scattered over all the temperate and warmer parts of the conti- ment, do not appear to have been any where very numerous. They were for- merly much more common in Vermont than at the present day, and have at times done much injury by destroying sheep and young cattle. They usually take their prey, like the common cat, by creep- ing softly within proper distance, and then leaping upon it and seizing it by the throat. If the victim be a large animal, like a calf, sheep, or deer, they swing it upon their back, and dash off with great case and celerity, into some retired place, where it is devoured at leisure. Some years ago one of these animals took a large calf out of a pen in Bennington, where the fence was four feet high, and carried it off on his back. With this load, he ascended a ledge of rocks, where one of the leaps was 15 feet in height .* Dur- ing the day the Catamount usually lies concealed, but in the night prowls for his prey, and in early times his peculiar cry has often sent a thrill of horror through a whole neighborhood. When the country. was new, much precaution was consider- ed necessary, when travelling in the woods in this state, in order to be secure from the attacks of this ferocious beast.
* Williams' liistory, Vol. 1, p. 104.
38
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART. 1.
THE COMMON SEAL.
THE BEAVER.
Travellers usually went well armed, and at night built a large fire, which served to keep this cautions animal at a distance. Under such circumstances a catamount will sometimes approach within a few rods of the fire, and they have been thus shot in this state by aiming between the glaring eye-balls, when nothing else was visible. The Catamount will seldom attack a person in the day time, unless provoked or wounded. In the New York Museum is the skin of one of these animals, of which the following account is given in Dr. God- man's Natural Ilistory .* " Two hunters, accompanied by two dogs, went out in quest of game, near the Catskill moun- tains. At the foot of a large hill, they agreed to go round it in opposite direc- tions,and when either discharged his rifle, the other was to hasten towards him to aid him in securing the game. Soon after part- ing, the report of a rifle was heard by one of them, who, hastening towards the spot, after some search, found nothing but the dog, dreadfully lacerated and dead. He now became much alarmed for the fate of his companion, and, while anxiously look- ing round, was horror struck by the harsh growl of a catamount, which he perceiv- ed on a large limb of a tree, crouching up- on the body of his friend, and apparently meditating an attack on himself. Instant- ly he levelled his ritle at the beast, and was so fortunate as to wound it mortally, when it fell to the ground along with the body of his slaughtered companion. His dog then rushed upon the wounded cata- mount, which, with one blow of his paw, laid the poor creature dead by its side. The surviving hunter now left the spot, and quickly returned with several other persons, when they found the lifeless cat- amount extended near the dead bodies of the hunter and the faithful dogs." So recently as 1830, one of these animals sprang upon an unfortunate woman, as she was passing along a road in Pennsyl- vania, and killed her instantly.t
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