Native mammals.

NATIVE ANIMALS, BIRDS, AND INSECTS. [pp. 63-77]

Red Fox (can/s a/opex). We have also the grey and the black fox; the number of foxes taken on the Island is very considerable; some years ago [their skins] bore a much higher price, and were more in demand than at present; foxes do no farther injury than taking a few fowls, they never attack sheep; [p. 631

Wild Cat (fe/I'x lynx) called by the French Loup Cervier, it lives upon hares and partridges which it takes by surprize; very few of them have been known to attack sheep and lambs; they are chiefly caught in winter in snares and steel traps; the skin is sold from ten to fifteen shillings; the flesh is as white as veal, and is frequently eaten by epicures and is much relished.

Otter (muste/a lutra.) These have been very plenty in the Island, and are still caught in considerable numbers, some of the skins sell as high as six dollars.

Martin (muste/a.) This is a very shy little animal and is seldom seen in the woods, though some years in great abundance, its fur ...[isl less valuable than formerly.

Weasel (muste/a martes.) This little animal is common, and often destructive among poultry.

Ermine (muste/a erminea.) This beautiful little animal is red like a fox in summer and white in winter ; it is distinguished from the common weasel by the tip of its tail which is always black; it is not common, but is sometimes seen in making roads, when it is necessary to cut and remove many fallen trees, in the bodies of which it makes its nest. [pp. 63—661

Bear (ursus arctos.) The Bear known here is the black species, though they are distinguished by their muzzles, some having them red, others white, the latter are said not to do any mischief, living upon berries, ants, small fish which they catch in the creeks, and a large insect which they obtain by tearing the old wind-fallen trees to pieces; the former are sometimes very destructive among the cattle, and will attack the largest ox or cow: the quantity of black cattle, sheep, and hogs, destroyed by them annually on the Island is very considerable, but like the other evils which settlements in new countries are subject to, it will lessen rapidly, and in less than half a century, I have no doubt but the bears will be entirely extirpated. When we compare the mischief done by them, to the ravages of the wolf, in the new settlements on the Continent, it is trifling indeed. The bear, unless surprised and closely attacked, almost always runs away from a man, and except it be the she bear with her young cubs, is very seldom dangerous; in upwards of twenty years residence on the Island, I do not know a single instance of any persons losing their lives by a bear. [pp. 66-67]

Ground Mouse (sorex mur/nus.) This is the little animal whose ravages have been so much spoken of and exaggerated to almost every person who has ever heard any thing of the Island, being often represented by those who are disposed from interest or otherwise, to depreciate the value of it, as attacking us periodically, and destroying every kind of vegetable production, than which nothing can be more groundless, or unfounded. In thirty years I have been acquainted with the Island and upwards of twenty years actual residence there, I have never known mice to do any injury to the crops, two or three years only excepted and then only partially, and by no means general through the Island. Yet I am sensible it is often mentioned in Nova Scotia, as what frequently happens, although it might be expected, that the quantity of grain which we send them annually, ought long ago to have induced them to desist from

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