Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-08-25
WILD QUADRUPEDS OF VISION
SIN NO. H.

~, Is remarkable tor the SlGnderneSS ana
dclicacy of It's form. rs long and slim
neck, small body, and almost pointed head,
give the animal an air Of ieebleness, the
impression of which is only to be counter
acted by observing the animated eye. the
playful movements, and admirable celebrity
OF It's course, when at full speed. The
fallow Deer IS Of great importance as
source of food and ralnent. and ii is annu-
ally p rSued for the sake Gifts hide, horns,
and tiesh-the latter being Justly considered
an excellent article of food when killed in
the proper season. The Indians and hunters
feed upon it at all seasons. This species
OF deer has very keen senses, especially of
hearing and smelling, upon which its safety
particularly depends. 1t is said by hunters
to evince strong degree Of animosity tow
ards serpents, and especially the rattle
snake, of which it has aninstinctiye horror.
In order to destroy one of these creatures,
the deer makes bound INTO the air, and
alights upon the snake with all four feet
brought together 4 square, and these vio-
lent blows are relocated till the hated rep
tile is destroyed. The skins of this deer
continue 10 form very valuable article of
adapted for the manufacture of gloves and
other articles than the Ska of any other ami
NAL with which we are acquainted. This
deer is too well known in the territory to
require any further details.
The AMERICAN ELK, we believe, is some
times found in Wisconsin, although we
have reason 10 believe that it is not native
of this country, but migrates occasionally
from the mountains at the northwest. 1t
is very shy and retiring, AS beast of
burden, it is said, it Is more productive
than any other.
The Common Fox is an inhabitant of
the head, back, and sides, and pale red on
the under parts of the body. 1t differs
from the European Fox in the breadth and
capacity OF Its feet for running on the snow,
the quantity of long hair on the back of the
cheeks. and in conjunction with the shorter
ears and nose, gives the head more COM
pact appearance. 1t is altogether a larger
animal. Foxes prey much on the smaller
animals of the rat kind, butare fond of fish,
and reject no kind Of animal food that
comes in their way. They hunt their food
chiefly in the night, though they are fire.
quently seen in the daytime. Vigorous
sportsmen, hounds, and steel-traps are
their principal enemies; although in trap
ping them much caution is necessary TO re-
move their suspicious and avert their saga
ety.. Barn-vard fowls are their delight
Residents mention a small kind of gray
Fox Which Qsceads trees--a dubious asser-
ton,
HE GoApHER PROPER we do not re-
member having seen; bat there IS an ami
NAL in Wisconsin bearing this name, that is
about seven or eight inches in length, and
resembles the Ground Squirrel in appear
ancc, except that between the stripes upon
its back are lines Of small round white spots.
The back is Of dark brown color, and
the sides and belly are Of a yeIlowish gray.
To the farmer it IS an annoyance, destroy
inc com in the ground and in the early sta
ges of growth. We believe it burrows in
The earth for residence, living on roots,
&c.
THE LyNx-The usual length Of the
Lynx is about two feet SIX inches, its tail
SIX, and its height sixteen inches. The
ears are erect, and have a long pencil of
black hairs at their tip. The fur is long,
thick, and soft, Of a grayish ash color on
the upper parts, with a reddish tinge mark
ed with dus ish spots; the under parts are
white. The legs and feet are thick, short,
and strong, covered with long fur; and the
extremity of the tail is black. The eyes
are of pale yellow, and in ancient times
the creature was proverbal for It's piercing
sight. The Lynx differs from most animals
OF the cat tribe in its preference for cold or
temperate climate. 1t conceals itself IN
thick forests, preys upon hares and other
animals, and climbs trees with rapldlty IN
pursuit Of birds and equIrrcls The fur Of
the LYNX is valuable and extensive article
Of commerce. The Lynx is common IN
Wi, c0nsin.
TuE Mink, native OF this Territory, is
generally to be found on the banks of
streams, in the neighborhood Of mills and
farm-houses. II sWims and dives well, and
can remain a long time under water. 1t
prcvs upon small fish, muscles, rats, mice,
and, when opportunity offers, upon poultry.
1t is easily tanned, and becomes strongly
attached, bat is readily offended, and will
bite on small provocaton. It's about
twenty inches in length. The feet are
broad, webbcd, and covered with hair
The tail is dusky, and ends in point.
The FIR IS principally used by matters, but
IS Of Iiule value.
The MoLG, common in Wisconsin. with
out being blind, has such small eyes, and
these so concealed. that it was formerly
supposed 10 be able to make little use OF the
sense OF seeing; but it is now known that
its eyes possesses all The qualities necessa-
nv to distinct vision. Il enjoys also the
senses Of hearing and feeling in an eminent
degree. lis skin is sof! as silk; and It's
lille paws, which are furnished with fine
claws, are very different G:om those Of
other animals, and are very like the hands
of human beng.
The MousF.-If we remember rightly,
there are bu! three varieties Of this animal
in Wisconsin, 10 wit:-1he common, long
tailed, filthy tenant Of buildings; the Deer
Mouse. with hair in color like that of the
animal from which it has derived its name,
very cleanly, freee from disagreeable odor,
and the beau ideal of an aguile, pretty
mouse. and lives principally in our houses;
and the short-taiIed Field Mouse, that ''gets
L;s l;yiro;f =, a ,,rahaulish manner roviur