Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-09-01
NATURAL HISTORY.
WILD QUADRUPEDS OF WISCONSIN.
NO. III.

NO ILL.,
The MUsKRAT, ONDATRA, or MUsaUAsH, which
| is abundant in Wisconsin is closely allied in form
and habits to the Beaver but is more familiar in
Its habits, as it is to be found at only short dis
lance from large towns. The Muskrat is a watch
iu, but not very shy animal. 1t may be frequent
y seen on small islands, bogs, &C. and hardly to be
distinguished from piece of earth 1t forms bur-
rows, which often extend TO great distances on the
banks of streams and ponds, the entrances of which
are in deep warer. In some situations, these ami
mails build houses of conical form, composed of
mud, grass, and reeds, plastered together. They
feed upon the roots and tender shoots of aquatic
plants and on the leaves of grasses They are ex-
cellent swimmers, and can remain for a long time
under water. During the day it usually lies con-
cealed in its burrow, but issues forth at night for
food and recreation 1t does not, like the Beaver
lay up store of provisions for the winter and it
builds new habltation every season. Its fur being
valuable for hats, 1t is much hunted and between
four and five thousand skins are annually imported
into Great Britain from North America The In
dams kill them by spearing them through the walls
of their houses
The OTTER, native Of this Territory, usually
measures about two feet with tail of sixteen in
ches The legs short strong, and muscular
On each foot five toes which are acebbed and
furnished with strong, sharp nails The eyes are
large and brilliant The fur is a deep blackish
brown, with two small light spots on each side Of
the nose, and another under the chin 1t makes its
habtation on the banks of rivers, where it Burrows
to some depth. Its principal food being fish, it is
a semi-amphibious, living almost constantly in the
water The burrow is constructed with great sa-
gacity, the entrance of the hole being invariably
under water, inclning upwards to the surface of
the earth The fur of the Otter is of much value
The AMERICAN HARE, Improperly called RAB
BIT, and Astounding in all other parts of America
as well as in this closely resembles the common
Hare ofEurope. During the daytime, it remains
crouched within its form. This is a mere space, of
| the size of the animal, upon the surface Of the
ground cleared of grass, and sheltered by some
over-arching plant, or in the followed trunk of
tree, under collection of stones. The best
time for studying the habits of this animal is du
ring moonlight nights, when he may be seen sport
ing with his companions, ffisking with delighted
| eagerness around its mate or busiIy engaged in
cropping its food. On such occasions, the tnrnp
and cabbage fields apt to suffer some When
food is scarce, the farmers young fruit trees and
valuable plants become the victims of their depre
dations. This animal is extremely prolific in re-
producing its species and is rapidly increasing here
although large numbers annually destroyed by
other animals and man for the sake of their flesh
which though of dark color, is much esteemed
as an article of food ard at certain seasons is very
delicious
The RAccooS, an animal of some celebrity in
the political community, is even herein Demo
cratic Wisconsin. He is of a graysh color, with
head shaped somewhat like that of the fox being
broad betwixt the ears and very sharp at the muz-
zle. The face is white, and the eyes large. The
back is considerably arched and the fore legs
a good deal longer than the hinder ones. From
the nose to the tail, the Raccoon measures about
two feet He is active and lively and an excellent
climber of trees. He is good-tempered-alth
a savage antagonist when once aroused-and easily
tanned; butt his habit of prying into everything
ders him extremely troublesome. His fur is much
valued by haters being next in fneness, to that of
the Beaver 1t is also used as Innings to dresses
and gloves, and even the upperleather to shoes,
are made of its skin when dressed
The RAT, we are inclined TO believe. is not a
native of this Territory, but imported by emigrans
Certain it is, no rats were found in Southport until
the Steamer Detroit went to pieces in this vicinity
In this belief we shall omit sketch of his peculi-
arites
The SKUNK, bearing some reputation as an
pedlar, is abotit eighteen inches in length
Its legs are short, its body broad and flat. There
are scarcely two of them with the same colors
Generally they are covered with white spots or
stripes on a brown or black ground. Living in
the neighborhooe of houses, they prowl about the
barns at night, and make sad havoc among the |
eggs and poultry They also feed on small quad
rupeds, young birds and wild fruits 1t is only |
found in America; and its most remarkable pecuk- |
arity is too we'll known to our readers to require
particular dissertation.
THE BLACK SQUIRREL in winter is a pure
black; in summer, it is of grayish black, inter
mingled with dark reddish Brown. 1t climbs the
tops of the highest trees, leaping fearlessly from
branch to branch 1t lives in the same forests with
the Gray Squirrel-which strongly resembles rat
in appearance-and the two species may often be
found gathering nuts from the same tree The flesh
of both is much esteemed.
The COMMON RED SoUIRREL is abundant in |
Wisconsin. Its one OF the most lively and nimble
Of the race. When pursued, it makes long leaps
from tree tree, and seeks for shelter as soon as
possible in its burrows The tail is long and beau
tiful but its skin is of no value
TIE GRoUSD SQUIRREL or Chip Monk, or Har-
kee is found in all cur woods IN its habits it diff
fers from other squirrels but is too common to merit
an examination here. Its color is reddish brown,
with black and white stripes.
THE COMMON FLYING SQUIRREL. peculiar for
those APPENDICES its side which lend their aid to
its "raaling ambition" is rather abundant in Wis
consin and is much admired for the softness of its
fur and the gentleness of its disposifiea.