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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. trrata to pelure, n d □ 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 T II E TRAPPER'S Guide AND MANUAL OF INSTRUCTIONS FOR CAPTURING ALL KINDS OF FUR-BEARING ANIMALS, AND CURING THEIR SKINS; WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THE PUR-TRADE, HINTS ON LIFE IN THE WOODS. AND NARRATIVES OF TRAPPING AND HUNTING EXCURSIONS. By S. NEWHOUSB, AMD OTHER TRAPPERS AND BPOBTSMEK NINTH (REVISED) EDITION. NEW YORK: Forest and Stream Publishing Co. 1894. rib 2207 57 Aeu/ tj-oijze CopjTiKht, 1S94. By FdREST AND Stream PuBLisaixa Co, CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. PAGE ?— 12. Connection of Trapping with otlier Trades 8. Observations on the Fof Trade, 9. Season for Trapping, 10. Statistics of the Fui- Trade, 11. THE TRAPPER'S ART. PAGE 13-101. I. PuELiMiNAUiES, 13—20. The Dead-fall, 13. Poisoning, 14. Shoot- ing, 14. Steel Traps, 15. Requisites of a good Trap, 15. T]\e Spring- pole, 17. The Sliding-pole, 18. The Clog, 18. Rule for Baiting. 19. Proper Outfit of Traps, 20. Profits of Trapping, 20. II. Captdre of Animals, 21—77. The Muskrut, 21. The ]Mink, 23. The Marten, 25. The Sable, 26. The Ermine, 28. The Fisher, 30. The Fox, 32. The Otter, 35. The Sea Otter, 41. The Beaver, 42 '. lie Wolf, 47. The Buar, 48. The Raccoon, 50. The Badger, 51 '■ .o Wild Cat or Bay Lynx, 53. The Iiynx, 50. The Cougar, 58. 'lue Jaguar, 59. Th? Lion, Gl. The Tiger, 02. The Wolverine, 66. The Opossum, 07. Th« Skunk, 67. The Coypu Rat, 70. The Chinchilla, 71. The S.iuirrel, 71 The Woodclmck or Mar.-not, 72. The Gopher, 72. The Rat, 74. The Deer, 74. The MoooC, 76. Some New Bruis^'wick Traps, 78-86. Deadfall for Bear, 78, Dead-fall for Fishei, 80. Tobique River Dead-fall, 82. Dead-fall for Sable, 83. Otter or Beaver Trap, 85. III. Curing Skins, 87—91. General Rule?, 87. Stretching Skins, 88. Board Stretcher, 38. Muskrat Stretcher, 89. Bow Stretcher, 90. Hoop Stretcher, 90. IV. Life in the Woods, 92—101. Outfit for a Campaign on Foot, 92. Outfit for an Excursion by Wagon or Boat, 94. Tent, 95. Stove and Furniture, 95. Bed and Bedding, 96. Camp Chest, 97. Cooking, 97. Jerked Meat, 99. Preparations against Insects, 99. Shanty, 100. Trap- ping Lmes, 100. THE TRAPPER'S FOOD. PAGE 102-111. The Deer, 102. Rocky Mountain Sheep or Big-horn, 103. Argali, 104. Prong-horn Antelope, 105. Squirrel Hunting, 106. Ruffed Grouse, 106. Pinnated Grouse, 107. Sharp tail Grouse, 108, Cock of the Plains, 108. Dusky Grouse, 109 Canada Grouse, 109 White-tailed Ptarmigan, 110. Willow Ptarmigan, 110 European Grouse, 111 Water Fowl, 111. irwiBWBIil|-i Hi^^.. CONTENTS. Notes on 1'rappino and Wood-Craft. By F. R., p. 111—121. Plan of a Tiiapping Campaign. By Peter M. Gunter, p. 122—126 Boat-Building, p. 120—129. Snow-Shoes, p. 130. Oil for Firb-Arms, p. 130. NARRATIVES. PAGE 131—205. An Evening with an Old Trapfeij, 131—137. A Young Tr.\pper's Experience, 138-142. The Deer Hunt, 143—145. Muskrat Hunt- iNO, 146—158. An Amateur in the North Wood!*, 159—174. Trav elling in a Circle, 175—180. An Expedition to the Laurentian Bills, p. 181—205. FULL PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS. Portrait of S. Ncwhouse, The Muskrat opposit The Mink, The Marten, The Sable, The Fisher, The Red Fox, The Otter The Beaver, The Wolf, .".""". The Grizzly Bear, The Raccoon, The Badger, .......'. The Wild Cat, The Lynx, The Cougar, The Opossum, The Skunk .'.'.'*. The Coypu Rat, The Chinchilla, .'.'", The Woodchuck, . The Rat, Family of Deer M< ose Yard, Ml. Newhouse's Tent and Stove Log Shanty, Deer Breaking Cover, The RuflFed Grouse The Wild Goose Canoes, Snow-Shoes and mode of wearing them Frontispiece. ite piij rii 21 ( i( 23 ( it 25 ( " 26 * • ** 30 t (1 32 ( n 35 tt 42 ft 47 n 48 »l 50 «•' 53 ** 54 tt 56 it 58 tt G7 It '38 u 70 « 71 « 72 tt 74 tt 76 t( 88 It 93 tt 100 tt 102 • « 106 tt Hi « 120 tt 130 PREFACE TO THE NINTH (UEVISEiJ) EDITION. TiTis is a new uiul revised edition of the "Trapper's Guide," by S. Newliouse and other lumters and sportsmen. Its character as a standard book on woodcraft has been shown by its steady sale for over twenty years. It is the work of practical men, assisted by careful editors. Its di- rections for catching game iire those in actual and success- ful nse. Its narratives of inniters' and trappers' life are simple, truthful, and charming. It tells how to trap all kinds of fur-bearing animals; how to cure their skins ; how to live in the woods ; how to build boats and catch fish in winter ; how to destroy the pests of the farm and poultry yard ; how to hunt deer, bear, and other large game. It is a book for lovers of woodcraft, for excursionists, and for boyo. INTRODUCTION. BY THE KDlTOlt. Tills book was not ori";inaIlv clesiniu'd I'or amateur sijorts- men or for the rcadino; j)ublic <;eiu'rally, Imt for |)ractical workingnien who make or propose to make tra])pinn; a means of HveHhood. The |)!an of it was suiZijested by a business necessity in the ibllowinrge means and long experience. The New York Directory gives the names of more than one hun- (h'ed furriers and fur-merchants, thirty of whom are wholesale dealers. The leadinj; fashionable fur for this country is the Mink ; but the furs that are within the reach of the masses, and most worn, are the Muskrat and the O])ossum. The wearino; of furs in this country is very little affected by climate^ but is regulated almost entirely by fashion. In Eu- roj)e, on the other hand, the state of the elements determines the extent of the call for furs as articles of clothinrr. Hence, notwithstaiidinii the winters on both continents are crowino- milder, the demand for furs is (continually iucreasino; in this country, wjiile in Europe it is falling off. Tilt- more thickly settled parts of the United States show a large decrease in the "catch " of furs; but new territories are continually opening to the trapper ; and though he moves from year to year farther north and west, the supply steadily keeps pace with the demand. SEASON I'Oli THAPriNG. All furs are best in winter ; but trapping may be carried on to advantage for at least six months in the year, i. e. any time between the first of October and the middle of Ajiril. There is a period in the warm season, say from the first of May to the middle of Sej)tember, when tra]iping is out of the question, as furs are worthless. The most trapping is done late in the fall and early in the spring. The reason why furs become worthless in summer is, that all fur-bearing animals shed their coats, or at least lose the finest and tbickest part of their fur as warr' weather ap- proaches ; and have a new growth of it in the fall to protect them in winter. This whole process is indicated in the case of the Muskrat, and some other animals, by the color of the inside part of the skin. As sumniei- approaches, it becomes INTRODUCTION. 11 brown and dark. That is a sign that the best fur is gone; Afterwards it grows h'glit-colored, and in winter wheir the fur is in the best condition it is a cream white. When the pelt is white it is called prime by the fur-dealers. The fur IS tlien (/lossi/, thick, and of the richest color, and the tails of •such animals as the Mink, Marten, and Fisher are full and iieavy. Beavers and Muskrats are not thoroughly prime till about the middle of winter. Other animals are prime about the first of November. There is probably some variation with the latitude, of the exact period at which furs become prime, the more northern being a little in advance. Trappers are liable to begin trapping too early in the season, conse- quently much poor fur is caught, which must be sold at low prices, and is unprofitable to the trapper, the fur-buyer and the manufacturer. STATISTICS OF THE FUR-TRADK. The following estimates of the annual production of all the fur countries in the world, were given in a volume on the fur-trade, published in 1864, by Heinrich Lomer, one of the prmcipal fur-dealers of Leipzic. The total value is somewhat less than we have given on a previous page and is probably within the truth. YEARLY PUODUCTiON OK FUUS THKOUGIIOUT THE WOULD. Names of Furs. Sablo Mink Pine Marten . . Stone Marten Fitch , Kolinsky or Tartar / Miirten . . . ) Ermine Squirrels . . . . Muskrat German Marmot . . Cliincliillas . . Silver Fox . . . . Cross Fox . . Blue Fox . . . IVhite Fox . Red Fox .2 ■! tXK),UOO 80,000 100,000 1,000,(X)0 1,000,(X)0 2,000 80,0(JO 200,000 77,000 60,000 85,000 700,000 m 12 INTRODUCTION. YKARLY PRODDCTION OF FURS THROUaHOUT THE WOP.LD. — (Continued.) c Is 1 t 21 E ^c g ■?< '•2 s Names of Fur». 1< 9 u 0; .s .St 3 ^l. .5 = 3 % S c OS o 't. II I liii < II. CAPTURE OF ANIMALS. It will ho useful to the inexperienced trapper to have some account of tlit appearand' and habits of each animal in con- nection with instructions for capturin5 CAPTURE OF ANIMALS. 28 forth from six to nine at a birth, and three times a year. The first kittens also have one litter, which attain to about the size of house-rats in September. They have many enemies, such as the fox, wolf, lynx, otter, mink, and owl. They are found from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Rio Grande to the Arctic Regions. But thev do not inhabit the alluvial lands of Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, thonuh in other reo;ions they live much further south. The modes of capturing the Muskrat ai'e various. One of them we have already seen. Another is by spearing, of which a fine example will be given in a subsequent article by Mr. Tliacker. Tiiese methods are liood at certain seasons iind in certain conditions of the ice, &c. ; but for general serv- ice there is no means of cajoture so reliable as the steel-trap. Traps should be set in the ])rincijial feeding places, play- grounds, and holes of the Muskrat, and generally about two inches under water. Bait is not necessary except when game is scarce and its signs not fresh. In that case you may bait with apples, parsnips, carrots, artichokes, white flag-roots, or even the flesh of the muskrat. The nnisk of this animal will sometimes draw efl'ectuallv at lon<: distances. The bait should be fastened to the end of a stick, and stuck over the trap about eight inches high, and in such a position that the animal will have to pass over the trap to take the bait. Care should be taken to fasten the trap to a stake in such a position that the chain will lead the captive into deep water and drown him. If he is allowed to entangle himself or by any means to get ashore, he will be very likely to gnaw or twist ort' a leg and get awav. THE MINK. The Mink is found in the northern parts of America, Eu- rope, and Asia. Its fur is fine and valuable. The ]VIink is carnivorous, and belongs to tiie mustelidoB or weasel family. It resembles the ferret and ermine. It is not amphibious like the muskrat, yet lives on the banks of streams and cets much of its food from them. It is of a dark brown color , has short legs, a long body and neck, and a bushy tail. In this 24 THE TRAPPER'S ART. i 1 1 1 1 ■I : ' II country tliere are two varieties, which some natnraHsts have supposed were distirct species ; one small, dark-colored, com- mon in the Northern and Eastern States and Canada ; the other larger, with lighter-colored, coarser, and less valuable fur, common in the Western and Southern States. The dark- colored variety measures from eleven to eighteen inches in length from the nose to the root of the tail, and has a tail from six to ten inches in length. The European and Asiatic Mink is a distinct species. Mink are ramblers in their habits, except in the breeding season. They feed on fish, frogs, snakes, birds, mice, and muskrats ; and the hen-roost frequently suffers from their dep- redations. They are very fond of speckled trout, and pretty sure to find out the streams where those fish abound. Their breeding season commences about the last of A])nl, and the females bring forth from four to six at a litter. The young are hid by the mother till they attain nearly half their growth, as the males of this species, as well as of the marten, fisher, w^easel, panther, and most carnivorous animals, destroy theii young when they can find them. Mink can be taken in steel-traps, either on land or in the water. Experts generally prefer to take them on land. The trap should be set near the bank of a stream. If one of their holes cannot be found, make a hole by the side of a root or a stump, or anywhere in the ground. Three sides of the cavity should be barricaded with stones, bark, or rotten wood, and the trap set at the entrance. The bait may be fish, birds, or the flesh of the muskrat, cut in small pieces ; and it should be put into the cavity beyond the trap, so that the animal will have to step over the trap in taking the bait. The trap should be concealed by a covering of leaves, rotten vegetation, or, what is better, the feathers of some bird. In verv cold weather the bait should be smoked to give it a stronser smell. Mink can be attracted long distances by a scent that is pre- pared from the decomposition of eels, trout, or even minnows. These fishes are cut in small pieces, and put into a loosely- corked bottle, which is allowed to hang in the sunshine for two or three weeks in summer, when a sort of oil is formed IVfe ra- the ble rk- in om nk ncl 3p. tty eir :he "g th, er, eii ;he 'he eir ' a itv nd or lid -'ill lid >n, )ld '11. re- vs. Iv- ft/ for ed i:i; I ii; t i I it i r 1 !■! I • ./ ■ /l. Ii '% CAITUIIE (JF ANIMALS. 2[} which omits a very strong odor. A few drops of this oil on the bait, or even on a stick without bait, will draw Mink very effectually. The chain of tlie trap should be fastened to a spring-pole, strong enough to lift the animal, when caught, out of the reach of the Hsher, fox, and other depredators ; or if the trap is set near deep water, it may be attached to a sliding-pole, which will secure the game by drowning it. Both of these devices are fuilv described on i)no;es 17 and 18. P! TIIK MARTEN. The ]\Iarten is found on this Continent from about north latitude forty degrees to the northern limits of the woods, or about sixty-eight degrees. On the Eastern Continent they in- habit all the North of Europe and Asia, excej)t the treeless districts of the cold regions. The principal species are, the Pine Marten, which inhabits both continents, the Beech or Stone i\Iarten of Europe, the Sable of Russia and Northern Asia, and the Japanese Sable. Naturalists class the fisher, also, with the Martens. The Russian Sable is the finest and most valuable of all the Martens. The Hudson's Bay and Lake Superior Martens are next in value. Those from Hud- son's Bav, though reallv a variety of the American Pine Marten, are commonly called Hudson's Bay Sables, and their fur is known by that name in the markets of Euroj)e. The Marten belongs to the weasel finnilv, and is carnivo- rous. It is about as large as the mink, and differs but little from the latter in form, save that its feet are larger and hairy to the toes, and its tail is somewhat larger and of a dark brown or black color. The fur of the American Pine Marten is ecu- erally of a yellowisli brown, but varies greatly in color accord- ing to season, latitude, and locality. The Hudson's Bay and Lake Superior Martens are very dark-colored. The favorite haunts of these animals are the thick dark woods of the cold snowy regions. They are strictly arboreal in their habitat. They generally live in hollow trees, but occasionally they ex- cavate dens in the ground. They feed on rabbits, birds, squirrels, mice, and other small animals ; are fond of beech- rJ 26 'IllK THAIM'KU'S AKT. ; ! I ;!! I ! If lii (i li lis '( . nuts, and, it is said, ivst'inbk* the bejir in tlieir fondness fol honey. They su'o active chinbers, and their small size enubles them to pursue tiie <:;ray s(|uirrel and capture him in liis hiding-j)laces. Tiiey are, however, unable to cope in speed with the red squirrel or chickaree. Tiiey are not strictly nocturnal in their habits, as some have asserted, being fre- (piently seen and killed in the daytime. Their breeding sea- eon begins in March or April, ar.d they have from three to five young at a time, wh.ich are hidden from the males during infancy. Sir John Richardson, the Arctic exj)lorer, says that "par- ticular races of Martens, distino;uished by the fineness and dark color of their fur, appear to inhabit certain rocky dis- tricts." Throughout the Hudson's liay Territory tliere is a period- ical disai)j)earance of the Martens, which is very remarkable. It occurs, according to liernard llogan Ross, in decades, or thereabouts, with wonderful regularity, and it is not known what becomes of them. They are not found dead, and there is no evidence of their migration. The failure extends through the whole territory at the same time. In the seasons of their disappearance, the few that remain will scarcely touch bait. There seems to be a providential instinct in this by wliich the total destruction of the race is prevented. Martens are taken in steel-trajis by the same method as the mink. In winter, however, the traps should be set in h(>llow logs or trees, secured from the covering of snows, and con- cealed by the feathers of a bird. The Marten trappers of the Hudson's Bay (Company commonly bait with fish-heads, pieces of flesh-meat, or, what they consider still better, the heads of wild fowl, which the natives gather for this purpose in au- tumn. THE SABLE. As I have already remarked, the Sable is closely allied to the martens. It is classed with them in Natural History, un der the scientific name of Martes Zibellina. Two species aro known : the Martes Zibellina or Russian Sable, and the Jap- anese Sable. The latter is marked with black on its ]es?. and less fot eimbles in liis I) speed strictly iiig fVe- ing sesi- tliree to s during it " i)ar- less and »cky dis- i pcriod- larkable. cades, or t known nd there tlirougli of their ich bait, lich the od as the n hc41ow and con- rs of the s, pieces heads of ie in au- :1 .1 < CO til m allied to tory, un )ecies aro the Jap- legs and I I 1 I I I n :ii ' Hi! CAl'TUKE OF ANIMALS. 27 feet. It is tlioiin;ht by some of tlie Hiulson's Hay Com| jny'i agents, that a marten exists in the northwestern part of Brit- ish America, and in the late Russian Possessions, which, if not the same, is very closely allied to the Russian Sable. The Russian Sable is spread over a vast extent of territory, being found from the northern parts of European Russia eastward to Kamtschatka. Its size is about equal to that of the marten, bein; I; si r^ I 111 r ( I I ;1 I > li TIIK TRAPPKR'S AUT. From eijjlity to ninety dollars aro sometinies clcinandecl by tlie hunters for a sinjile skin. The Russian Sable is monopolized by the iinjMM'ial family and nobility of that country. Only a few skins find their way into other coimtries. Some, however, are obtained j)rivately m Siberia, by Jewish trailers, and brought annually to the Leipzig; fair. The fur of the Sable has the peculiarity of being fixed in the skin in such a maimer that it will turn with e(jual freedom in all directions, and lies smoothly in whatever direction it may be pressed. The fur is rather long in propor- tion to the size of the animal, and extends down the limbs to the claws. The best method of capturing the Sable is by the steel-trap, the same as I have already described for taking the mink and marten. The Sable can be domesticated with success. THE ERMINE. Next in imjiortanco to the sable, amongst European furs, is that of the Ermine. The Ermine belongs to the weasel fam- ily, has the general weasel shape and appearance, and inhabits the northern parts of Europe and Asia. It is a small animal, measuring only about fourteen inches in total length, of which the tail occupies four inches. There is, however, considerable variation in the size of individuals. The Ermine is carniv- orous and a most determined hunter. It preys on hares, rab- bits, and all kinds of small quadrupeds, birds, and reptiles. It is very fond of rabbits, of which, especially the young, it destroys great numbers. The pheasant and partridge also suffer greatly from its preda'^ity It pursues its game with great pertinacity and rarely enfP rs it to escape. It is also a great plundercr of birds' .MHSirf of all kinds. Its favorite mode of attacking its prey is ])y fastening on the neck and sucking the blood of its victim. Wood, in his " Illus- trated Natural History," gives the following account of the manner in which the hare is hunted by the Stoat or Ermine : " Altliough lolerably swift of foot, it is entirely unable to cope A'ith the great speed of the hare, an animal which frequently falls CAPTURK in ANIMALS. tlie A victim to I lie Stoat. Yet it is ciiiiblcd, by its groat delifacy of scent ami the singular eiuiuraiice of its frame, to run down any hare on whose trt'.k it may have set itself, in spite of ihe long legs and wonderful speed of its |)rey. When pursued by a Stoat, the liarc does not seem to put forward its strength as it does when it is fol- lowed i)y dogs, but as soon as it discovers the nature of its pursuer, seems to lose all energy, and hops lazily along as if its I'aculiies were benumbed by some powerful agency. This strange hissitude, in whatever maimer ii may be produced, is of great service to the Stoat, in enabling it to secure an animal which might in a very few minutes |)lace itself beyond the reach of danger, by running in a straight line. " In this curious phenomenon, there are one or two poitits worthy of notice. "Although the Stoat is physically less powerful than the hare, it yet is endowed with, and is conscious of, a moral superiority, which will at length attain its aim. The hare, on the other hand, is sensi- ble of its weakness, and its instincts of conservation are much weaker than the de>tructive instinct of its pursuer. It must be conscious of its inferiority, or it would not run, but boldly face its enemy ; for the hare is a fierce and determined fighter when it is matched <'ii;ainst animals that are possessed of twenty times the muscular powers of the Stoat. But as soon as it has caught a glimpse of the nery eyes of its persecutor, its faculties fail, and its senses become oppressed with that strange lethargy which is felt by many creatures when they meet the fixed gaze of the serpent's eye. A gentleman who once met with a dangerous adventure with a cobra, told mc that the creature moved its head gently from side to side in i'ront of his face, and that a strange and soothing influence began to creep over his senses, depriving him of the power of motion, but at the same time removing all sense of fear. So the hare seems to be influenced by a siniilar feeling, and to be enticed as it were to its fate, the senses of fear and pain benumbed, and the mere animal faculties surviving to be destroyed by the single bite." The mink, marten, fislier, and other members of tlie weasel family,, are said to exercise an influence on their prey similar to that above described. The color of the Ermine in summer is a lifflit reddish brown on the upper parts of the body, and lighter tinted or nearly white underneath. In winter, in the hiorh northern latitudes,, i fi'i <■",■ I fJi ^ ,. ^ mS^ J ' i.'V.iJL ' Mifii ■ W i' l i i'l: 80 TiiK TiiAprKirs Aiir. t i; !• t' i I M! .11 ; its fur changes to a delicate cream-colored wliite, on all ])arts of the body except the tip of the tail, which retains its Mack color and forms a fine contrast to the rest of the body. It is only in the coldest portions of Norway, Sweden, Russia, and Siberia that th^ Ermine becomes sufficiently blanched in win- ter to become of any commercial value. Russian Asia fur- nishes the greater portion of those caught. In England the Ermine, when in its summer coat, is commoidy called the Stoat, and, on account of its predaceous habits, is thoroughly detested. Ermine fur was formerly monopolized by the royal families and nobility of Europe, but now finds its ^^ay into the gen- eral markets. The same general methods should be pursued in trapping the Ermine as in the case of the mink and marten. THK riSHEH. This animal is usually called Pennant's Marten by the naturalists. From some hunters it also receives the name of Pekan. But in the fur-trade it is generally known as the Fisher. It is strictlva North American animal, ran^ino; from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee to the Great Slave Lake, and perhaps still further north. The Fisher belonfjs to the weasel familv, and resembles both the marten and the wolverene in its habits and 'mtff' '"' • '^;-"**^ iV. in the "t l< ! I , I ll i \ capturp: of animals. n woods as the marten, but their food is much the same. They prey on hares, raccoons, squirrels, grouse, mice, and small birds, and have been seen watching for fish, lying on a log that crossed the stream, with head inclined downward, ready for a plunge. They, however, prefer flesh -meat to fish. Their breeding season begins in March or April, and from two to four young are brought forth at a time. The young ire hidden from the males in hollow trees at a considerable distance from the ground, until they are large enough to take care of themselves. F'ishers are takeii in steel-traps by the same methods as the mink and marten. The barricade round the trap, however, should be stronger, and the entrance larger. The trap in all pases should be fastened to a spring-pole of sufficient strength to lift the animal clear from the ground, as it is pretty sure to gnaw off a leg or the i)ole, if left where it can touch the ground. The Hudson's Bay Company's trappers sometimes use the same methods in trapping the Fisher as those em- ployed in fox trapping. Messrs. Holland and Gunter, trap- pers of many years' experience in the Laurentian Hills, of Canada West, describe their mode of trapjnng the Fisher as follows : — I :i > I f hi ; if' '«■• 31 it: I " Foi- capturing the Fislier, wo always draw a trail composed of the oil of anise, assatbetida, and the musk of the muskrat, mixed with fish oil, and placed in a deerskin bag about the size of a mitten, pierced full of holes with a small awl. If drawn along tlie line of traps the scent is sure to attract the Fisher's attention, and when an animal once finds it, lie will follow the trail till he comes to a trap. Mink are sometimes caught along trails of this kind ; and it is a good plan to set a trap for wolves on the line, as they are likely to be attracted to and follow it. In setting the trap, we eitlier place it in a hollow log. or build a strong house and place the traji at the entrance. In the latter case the bait should be placed in the back part of the liouse, about two feet from the door. The trap should be covered with finely powdered rotten wood. A spring-pole should he used, as all animals of the canine family will follow the trail and rob the traps. Deer-meat, mnsk rat-meat, or fi>h, make good bait for the fisher, marten, mink, or wolf." U $A iil i 1 , '4- 5 'fS i ■ i i : ^i ' I' I I • I 'ii ft 82 Till-: IKAPPER-S ART. Tlie Fisher is an cxceedinfrly powerful animal foi" its size, and will tear down wooden traps, or " dead-falls," witli ease. It frequently annoys the trapper by robbing his marten-traps of their bait, or of the animals they have caught. Indeed, the marten-trappers of the Hudson's Bay Territory consider an old Fisher as great an infliction as a wolverene. It will follow a " line " of tra])s for niiies, and visits them with ex- emplary reo;ularitv. Tlui structure for takino; the marten being too small to admit the entrance of a Fisher, he breaks in from behind, and thus secures the bait without o;<-^ttins into the traj). THE FOX. The members of the Fox or Vulpine genus are numerous. Foxes are distributed through all latitudes, but they are most abundant in the North. Naturalists recognize fourteen different species. On this continent we have the Red, the Cioss, the Silver or Black, the Prairie, the Swift or Kit, the (irray, the Coast, and the Arctic species. Northern Asia is represented by the Black and Gray, the White, the Red, and the Kit ; European Russia, Sweden, and Norway, by the Black and Gray, the Ci'oss, the Blue, the White, and the Red ; Middle Europe, by the Red ; and Greenland by the Blue and the White. In Southern Africa the Asse or Caama, and in Northern Africa the Fennec or Zerda, belong to the Fox genus. Fur-dealers say that there are thirteen different varieties or species of the Fox in Russia. The Fox is one of the most imj)ortant of the fur-bearing animals. The most valuable, most beautiful, most rare, and most sought for of all the foxes, is the Silver Grav or Black. It is found in the high northern latitudes of both continents, but only about two thousand skins in all are annually ob- tained. The best ones bring at the London sales as nuich as two hundred dollars each. The Cross Fox is next in value. On this continent the Black, Cross, and RchI Foxes vary greatly in color and marking, and in quality of fur. This h probably due to the liybridizing of the different species with each other. It is thought by some hunters that the Crosa iif the or ong •inn; ack. iits, ob- 1 as lie. arv IS 13 vith ross Q 'A a H i; ^i:^ ^ 1 i i -1 ■ i: If ■ 1 4 •11. \n ■^■^ mmmmmmmm II 1) li'l^ !ii CAPTURE OF ANIMALS. as Fox is a liyhrid between the Red and the Black. It seems, liowever, to be a permanent variety. The Fox beloiifTs to tlie dog or wolf family, and is carnivo- rous in its habits. The different species closely resemble each other in size, form, habits, and mode of capture. Tliey differ mainly in the color and rpiality of their fur, which varies, in consequence of difference in species and in climate, from the coarsest dog; fur to the finest sable. The American Red Fox is the most common in this country, and in many parts of the United States is considered one of the worst robbers of the farmer's sheep-fold and hen-roost. The Red Fox of Europe, thoup;h closely resembling the American, is a different species. Foxes fi}cd on grouse, small birds, hares, rabbits, squirrels, muskrats, mice, fish, eggs ; and some of them are remarkably fond of grapes, strawberries, and other ripe fruits. When pressed with hunger, they accept reptiles and carrion. Their modes of securing their prey are various. They generally seize their victim by creeping stealthily within springing dis tance, and pouncing on it like a cat ; but they frequently pur- sue the rabbit and other same with the " long chase." Their senses of sight, smell, and hearing are very acute, and their speed is great. They are cunning, and their tricks to escape their enemies and secure their jirey are very remarkable. The length of the Fox from the nose to the tip of the tail is about three feet, and its weight from fifteen to twenty-five pounds. The tail is large and bushy, and Avlien wet retards their speed in running. Their breeding season is in February or March, and they bring forth from four to nine at a birth. They generally burrow and rear their young in the earth, but sometimes take up their abode in a hollow tree or log, or in a ledge of rocks. Some of the most successful methods of catchino; the Fox are the following : — To prevent the smell of iron from alarming the game, the trap should be thorougldy smeared with blood, which can be done by holding it under the neck of some bleedinc animal and allowing it to dry. Or, for the same purpose, it may be heated and covered with beeswax, which at the proper tern II |l I :i -t ■-im Ji ■s i ,4,4 ' >; I ^\ i»--| 34 Till-: IRAITKUS A 111', l''¥ \ peratuve will readily rim all ovor tln^ tra|) and chain. Iv should b'j si't near the iiaunts of the fox. A hed of ashes, chafK, or lio;ht earth should eonreal the trap, and it should lu; fastened to a niovahle elo^ (tf six or ei^ht pounds' weight, as directed on pa;;!.' 18. Wool, moss, leaves, or some other soft, suhstance should he paeked lightly under the ]ian and around tlu^ jaws. The suilaee of the «'arth in the nei;j;hl)orhood of the trap should he hrushed with a (piill or hush, so tiiat all will seem natui'al. Sei'aps or small |)ie('es of fried meat, rolled in honey, should he scattered ovi-r the hed of the M'a|), except where the j)aJi is. Care should he taken to erase all foot- prints. To make the allurement doubly sure, ohtain from the female of the doif, ibx, or wolf the matrix in the season of coition, and preserve it in a (piart of alcohol tiiihtly corked. Leave a small ])ortion of this pre])aration on something; near the trap; and then, puttinii; some of it on the bottom of your boots I'rom time to time, strike lar<;e circles in two different directions, leading round to the tra|). A piece of bloody meat may be drawn on these circles at the same time. The Fox, on strikino; this trail, will he verv sure to Ibllow it round to the trap and be cauuht. Another method practise ' by woodmen is to set the traj) in a spring that does not freeze over in winter, placing it ab(mt half an inch under water, and covering the s|)ace within the jaws with a piece of moss that rises above the water. A bait of meat should be ])laced in such a ])osition that the Fox, in taking it, will be likely to put his foot on the moss, to ])revent wettinir it. The essence of the skunk is sometimes used in this case, in connection with the bait, with good effect ; but most trappers prefer the prej^aration in alcohol, above men- tioned. Another good way is to obtain from the kennel of some tame Fox (if such can be found) a few quarts of loose earth taken from the place where the animal is accustomed to urin- ate. Set your trap in this material, and bait and smooth the bed as before. The 1^'ox, cunning as lie is, is not proof against Biicli attractions. aslies, nid !)(• 'lit, as IT ,S()lt. [I'ounti )0(1 of hat all rollcil 'xcept I loot- I'roiu ^oii of :)rk('(l. i; near ^ your it' rent r meat i Fox, iiitl to i'a|) in about in the A. bait ox, in ■event sed in ; but men- some earth 1 urin- th the gainst i'li 1.1 ! |ii' 1i!i! f; ' ti! }, i' (j ■|'', 1,1 !■ ( H C ■:? I III! Ht CAI'TUIIK OK ANIMAI.S. ']:> TllV. O'lTFK. 81 Tl. Tlie Otter is fumid in lu-iirly iill jtarts of the world. Eleven at k'lst varieties, liavo hceii notieeil hv naturalists. )ecies, or it tl lese mhahit the iollowiiiif coiintru's: one s|K'('ies eaeh iti FiUrope, Island of Trinidad, (liiiaiia, lira/.il, Kanitscliatka, .lava, Madi _,ascar, Pondicia-rry, ("ape ol' (T(M)d llopo; and two spoeies in North Ainei'iea. The ijrincipa! spt'c-ies on tins Continent, and the most important of all in the fur-trade, is the Canada or American Otter, scientiHc name Lutra Cann- dfiisis. The I'anne of this Otter is from the Atlantic Ocean to the I'acitic, and from the Onlf of Mexico to tiii; shores of the Arctic Sea. The othei" North American species is the Cali- fi)rnia Ottei*. 'I'he Otter is a(piatic in its hahits, liviu;^ in and near streams and ijettinif its livini:; from them. In appearance the Otter resembles a maenilied min k. Its f nr am I col or are nuu h liki those of the mink, and the lie-hteninir of tlie tints in ivn' ari' the same in hoth. Its i'ur is shoi't and thick. The nnder-lur is sliujhtly waved and silky, and similar in texture to that of the beaver, but not so lon I'emales hriiin; (ortli from two to lonr yoniin; at a time. Tlu'V are <:;re<^avions and raml)linlaiiu'il in WikuI's l/hmtrdlid Siiliirtil llhlonj: " 'I'Ik' ci'i'iiluro is liy (t(';;f('i's wi'jnu'd iVoni il-~ iisuul lisli (lict, and lanniil In live ahnn-t wlndly on bread and milk, tlie only tisli-liUo arliele wliieii it is pcrniitted losee lieiii}; a leatlieni eaiica- tiiiv of the (iimy race, witli wliicli llie yomifi; Oiler i-. Iialiitiialed to jday as a kideii plays widi a iriini|iled paper i>r a cdrk, wliiili does lenipoiarv duty tlir ii imiiisn. AViion tlie animal lias aeoiisli>iiie eliase and eati'li llie arlil'ieial (isli, and to fjivo it into till' hand of its niasler, the teaelier extends his insliiietions liy diawinf^ tlie leathern ima^e -niailly into the water hy nnvjis of a striiii;', and eiicoiirai;in;; his pupil to )iliine;e into the stream al'ler ih- hire and hrin^; it aslmre. As sooiias ilm yount; On, r yields tlii> leathern l>rey, it is rewarded liy soini' dainty morsel wliieli its te:ieher is earel'iil to kee|i al hand, ami learns to eonneil the two cirenmslaiiees to- gether. Ilavinf.; lioeomo prolieient in the ]ireliminarv inslriielloiis, Ihe pupil is I'lirlln'r tested hy the suhstitnlion of a veritahle, hnl a i)< or down :i stri'iiiM, ami travclliii*^ (or tiiilfs ovrr liills ami tliroii;r|| swamps, IVoiii one stream l r I. ! ^ I I M I'll j ;: I «6 Till-: TUAl'PKK'S ART. . I \ i ! I } i of* the trap should be attached to a sHding-pole, in the manner described on i)age 18, whicli will lead the caj)tured Beaver into deej) water and ch'owu hini. Beavers are sometimes taken by breaking away their dam, two inches below the surface, in one or two places, and set- ting traps in the breaches. They keep sentinels who examine their dams every night, and the least break is soon detected and put under repair ; so that, with traps jiroperly set, some «)f the Beavers will be likely to be taken while at work at this business. But, as the whole family is summoned out when a breach is considered daiifferous, and as in any case several Beavers are likely to be engaged in a work of re|)air, the cap- ture of one is almost sure to frighten away the rest, for which reason this method of capture should be generally discarded as impolitic. The surest way of taking Beaver is by trap|)ing in winter in tiie following manner : When their ponds are frozen over, make a hole in the ice about three feet across, near the shore and near a hut. Cut a tree of birch, poplar, or alder, about two inches in diameter ; ])ress the top together and shove the whole under the ice in such a direction that the Beavers will be likely to ])ass and repass it in going to and from their house. The butt of the tree should be fastened at the shore under the ice. Directly under the butt, about ten or twelve inches below, a platform should be prepared by driving stakes or by any other means that is convenient, on which the trap should be set. The chain ring should be attached as before to a dri/ sliding-pole. After the trap is set and secured, the hole in the ice should be filled np with snow and allowed to freeze. The Beaver, j)assing the newly cut tree and discover- ing its freshness, will proceed toward the butt for the purpose of securing the whole for food, and, in gnawing it off near the shore over the trap, will be likely to be taken. The reason why the sliding-pole should be dry is, that if it is green the remaining Beavers will be likely to gnaw it off and take it home with them, traj), Beaver and all, for the sake of the bark. The Beaver is said to renew its breath, when travelling under the ice, in the same manner as the muskrat ; and of CAITLUK OF ANIMALS. 4T course mi .1 hi n i ■■': ■ ^- -ii- 48 TMK tii\i'im:r's art. M: t I i . [^ Continent wliioli should properly be called the Giant Wolf. Old hunters say that occasionally there is seen in a pack of Wolves one that is larger and fjceti'r than its fellows. These aiv called '' racei's " They will I'tni down a iU'vr with ease. Whether such Wolves form a distinct variety, or are only overr receiviiio; ten balls in his body, four of which passed throufjh his hinors and two through liis heart ! Rt-eords of Bear-huntiujLi; are full of perilous ad- ventures, and tlirse who engao;e in oi)en hattle with the jxreat Grizzly Bear of the Rocky Mountains, rarely escape without loss of life or limb. Hut steel-traps of the right size, and properly managed, subdue these monsters with greater cer- tainty than fire-arm:-, and without dano-er to the hunter. In trapping for Beirs, a |)lace should be selected where three sides of an inclosure can be secured ajjainst the entrance of the animal, and one side left o])en. The exjierienced hunter usually chooses a spot where one log has fallen across another, making a pen in this sha])e >. 'J'he bait is j)laced at the inner angle, and tlie trap at the entrance in such a sit- uation that the Bear has to pass over it to get at the bait. The trap shouKl be covered with moss or leaves. Some think it best to put a suiall stick under the pan, strong enough to prevent the smaller animals, such as the raccoon and skunk, from springing the trap, but not so stiff as to supj)ort the heavy foot of the Bear. The chain of the traj) should be fast- ened to a clog. (See page 18.) 'JMie weigiit of the clog for a Black Bear should i)e thirty po\nids ; for a Grizzly liear, eighty pounds. The chain should not be more than eighteen iiudies in length, as the habit of the Bear, when caught, is to attempt to dash the tra|) in pieces against trees, logs, or rocks ; and with a short chain, fastened to a heavy clog, he is unable to do this. The bait should be meat, and the Bear should be invited to the feast by the smell of honey or honey-comb, burnt on heated stones, near the tra]). Bi'ars seem to entertain nu susj)icion of a trap, and enter it as readily as a hog or an ox. >;- THK RACCOON. The Raccoon is allied to the liear family. It is found only on the Western Continent, where it is re|)resented by two species : the Common Raccoon of the United States, and tiie Crab-eating Raccoon of the tropics. The former is sj)read over the greater part of North Anuuica from Texas to Hud' son's Bav. On the Pacific coast it has been seen as far north i-- u U I i \. ' ' ,' ■ I y . t . 5»»^ CAPTURE OF ANIMALS. 51 as sixty decrrees. The CriiU-eiitiiig species is f'ouiul Irom Cal- ifornia and Texas to the 2r)th degree of south latitude. The Common Raccoon is the one of principal interest to the trapper and fur-dealer. Its body is about two feet long, and is thick and stout like the badger's. Its head resembles that of the fox. Its tail is about a foot long, large, and bushy. The color of the whole is grayish white, streaked and barred with darker colors. In some of the Western States the Raccoon is of altogether a darker color, sometimes approaching to black. The Raccoon is nocturnal and omnivo- rous in its habits, and hibernates like the bear. It feeds on nuts, green corn, eggs, mice, frogs, turtles, fish, shell-fish, birds, &c., and frequently makes havoc in the poultry-yard. It is an excellent swimmer, and is fond of rambling about small streams and marshes in search of frogs, shell-fish, and turtles. It is also a good climber, and generally lives and rears its young in the hollow of a tree, with the entrance at a considerable heiixht from the jrround. Its breedinjx season is in April or Mny, and fioni four to six young are brought forth at a time. Raccoons are sometimes taken by secreting traps ii. ilie paths which they make into corn-fields. Or traj)S may l/. set by the side of streams where they resort. In this case they should be baited with fresh fish ; or, as some prefer, with salt cod-fish, roasted to give it a strong smell. They a.»- not very cunning ; and with their acute sense of smell, an(f their keen ai)petite for such provender, they rarely pass a tra| thus baited without beiuff taken. '& .:■■ i p-4 i m ill i'P ' m I ! THK n\nGEK. This animal also belongs to the bear family. It is found in America, Europe, and Asia. Four species arv. recognized : the American Badger, the common Badger of Europe, the Iiulian Badger, and the Anakuma Badger of .Japan. The European species is the most inijmrtant in ihe fur-trade, fur- nishing 53,000 out of the 55,000 skins which annually find their way into the fur-markets. Though spiead over a large j)ortion of the globe, the 52 THE TRAPPER'S ART. Ill Badger is nowlioiv muniTous, c'xc'e))t in a few localities on this Continent, Jt is omnivorous, feeding chiefly on roots, fruits, insects, and froo;s. It also destroys tlie Ciios anil voun<: of partridges, and other birds which build their nests on the ground. It is fond of th.e nests c.f wild bees, which it seeks out and robs with impunity, its tough hide being comparatively impervious to the stings of these insects. The Badger is a (juiet, inoffensive animal, excej)! when attacked, when it is a tcri-ible antagonist to the dog or man who comes in contact with its sharp teeth and formidable jaws. Its length is about two feet six inches from the nose to the root of the tail. The tail is short. 'I'lie head is small, Hat, and has a long snout. The lieioht at the shoulder is about eleven iiudies. The body is broad and Hat, as though compressed. The legs arc sturdy and j)owei'ful. The feet, befoiv and behind, have each five toes strongly set in the flesh, and armed with jjowerful, com- pressed claws, ada])ted to burrowing in the ground, digging for roots, and unearthing the marnu)t, ground-scpiirrel, aiul other small, burrowing anicnals. The liadger ciiooscs the most solitary wooils for its resi- dence. It li\es in burrows, where it makes its nest and rears its young. When pursued, it commences digging in the earth, and, if pri'ssed too closely to be able to hide by buri'ow- ing, it nuikes a hole lai'ge enough to cover its body, backs into it, and faces its pursuers with claws drawn in an attitude of deflance ; and woe to the dog that attempts to dislodge it from its fort! If it has time tv» get its body fairly buried, it is se- cure from any dog, or even a man with a shovel, as Ii, digs so rapidly that it will work its way into the earth faster than dog tv man can follow. The fur of the Badgei-, when proi)erly dressed, is said to make the best pistol fiu'uiture, and the coarser hairs iwo used for the i\nc brushes of the oil-painter. The hairs of the upj)er part of the Badger's body iiulividually have thn'e distinct colors : yellowish-white at the root, black in the middle, and ashv-nrav at the eml. This gives a uniforni sandv-gray color to all the upper jiarts. The tail is furnished with long, coarse hair of the same color and quality. The throat, under pnrts, f i 1 1 .1- '%m\- I f: , -i ^P" \ \M li a 1-- CAPTIIRK OF ANIMALS. «8 and k'f^s mv covcivd with sliortor luiir ui' a iiiiilonn ck'ej>- black. The female Ba(lparatus near his haunts. THE WILD CAT OR HAY I.YNX. The American Wild Cat is a species of lynx. It is about thirty inches long, with a tail of five or six inches, and weighs from seventeen to twenty pounds. Its general color above i-"'5>' ; , f II 54 TIIH 'IllAI»rKUS ART. I : )■; and on tlic sides is ji palo reddisli brown, overlaid with gray- ish ; tlio latter color most |)nnalent in spi'inij and snmmer. The throat is surrounded with a ruHl' or collar of lon^ hair. The under parts aiv lic^ht-colored and s])otted. On the sides nre a, few ohscure dark sj)ots, and indistinct lonifitudinal lines aloiiijj the middle of the hack. The tail is marked with a small hlack patch ai)ove at the end, and with half rin«;s on its upper snrfiice. The imier surllice of the ear is hlack, with white patch. The leed into barbarism. It is said that ilm wild and tame Cats, in their wanderings, sometones meet ; wIkmi this is tlie case, the females of tlu! tame breed are well treated by the sav- age- Cats. biU the males are ruihdy set upon and sometimes torn in pieces. The wild and tame Cats souietinu's breed together, aiid pro- duce the kind called Tiffer Cats. Some aut!ii)rs hold that the Wild Cat is a distinct species, because; its tail is sliorter and more bushy than that of th(! dome>tic Cat ; but this opinion seems not well fou uled, for still greater ditferences are found in dogs which are ac- knowledged to be of the same race," The European Wild Cat is cotninon in France, Germany, Russia, Hungary, aiul some other parts of Europe, and is found in Northern Asia and Nepaul. It was formerly found in Enjiland, and a few vet linjfer amonj; the hills ot Scotland. It resembles the tame Cat, hut is rather lar<«;er and more ro- bust, and has a more savage aspect. Its fur is long, soft, and thick. Its color is gray, daiker on the hack than below, with a blackish stripe along the back and paler curved stripes on the sides. It is a very shy animal ; lurks in the woods and preys on hares, s(|uirrels, and birds, aiul is for the most part nocturnal in its iiabits. It maki's its home in clefts anu)ng rocks or in hollow trees. The female britms forth from three to six voting at a time. A full-grown male is about two feet r.i^.d a fialf long from the nose to the root of the tail ; with a tail of considerable length. The female is smaller. 1^1 E; \ SH . it! 4 J n\ (T ■M 5G Tin-: TRAl'I'KR'S AUT, This Wild Cat is of ^^ivixt stivnj:;tli, atid wlic»n pursued and iiard pressed exliil)its daring and lerocity in aii extraordinary dey-ree. Wlien eaiiuht in a trap tliev flv without hesitation at any person who approaches them, witliout waitinij; to bo assailed. 'I'he dii'eetions ral sj)e'v.'ie.! of Lynx. ihe Canada Lvnx and the European I yiix are the most important to the trajiper and fur-dealer. '!'he former inhabits N^orth America from till' latitude of Northern Ni'w York to the nortliern lindts of the woods, or within the Arctic Circle. It is not foinid in the Mississip|)i Valley, but occiu's west of the Rocky Moun- tains, and is supposed t(t I'xist in the northeastern part of Asia. Its size is betweeii that of a fox and a wolf. Its lenn;th from the ti|i of tiie nose to the tip ol' the tail is about tlu'ee feet. The tail is shorter than the head, and is densely furred and tip|>ed with black. Its teet an; lar^e, thickly covered with fur, and aruu'd with strone- claws. The ears are pointed, not lar^'c, and tipped witit a pencil of loni; black hairs. The color in winter is a silver-iiray on thi' back, jialinjj; towards the bellv, which is sometimes white. A I'ufous u;>dei'-shade mixes with the tints. It has a rutf on tiie sides o\; tlu' neck and under the throat. In wintei- its fur is lonjj; and silky. The avera7 it prowls about the pioneer's cabin in searcli of lambs, pigs, and pojiltry. It is an active climber, and frequently seizes its prey by |)ouncing upon it from an ovcrlianjfing tree ; at other times it crawls stealtiiily like a cat within springing dis- tance, or leaps upon it from a cliff. It ])ursues birds to the tops of the loftiest trees, and kills Hsh in the streams. It also feeds on carrion, and, when pressed with hunger, on its own kind. It is said to have a strong passion for perfuuies, par- ticularly the castoreum of the beaver. This is the principal scent or " medicine" used by tra|)pers in capturing the Lynx. The female brinj;^ forth m'n^^ndJv two young ones at a time,, and hides them in hollow trees or caves till thev are larn»perly set and baited with meat. The general directions already given for traj)ping various car- nivorous animals are applicable in this case. The Hudson's Bay Company's trapjiers practice the following method, ac- cording to Hernard U(»gan Ross: The traj) is covered, inside the jaws, with a well-titting '' pallet " of birch bark. On the pallet a piece of hair skin, well ndjbed with the "■ n)edicine '* or scent, is tied. The traj) is then placed indirti'rently either under or on the snow. The Lynx, scenting his favorite per- fume, endeavors to withdraw the skin with his paw, anti con- sequently springs the trap. It does not, likt' most of the fur- bearing animals, make violent efforts to escape, or drag the trap to a distance ; it generally lies down until aroused by the approach of the hunter, when, instead of attempting to escape by flight, it springs at him. The European Lynx closely resejubles the Canada species; its haliits are also similar. Its fin* is valuable. Its y;eneral color is a dull reddish gray ab<^ve, whitish below, mottled with black. On the sides are dark oblong j»atches. In winter the fur is longer and lighter-colored than in summer. The keen- ness of its sight has long been proverbial. It is found from the Pyrenees to the far North, and throuiihoiit Northeni Asia. The directions given for trapping the Canada Lynx are suffi- cient in the case of this species. I'l* |i r M u I '■• ■i.l- lU ^m 58 TMK TKAPPKirs AIIT .I'P 1 1^ THK COUfJAH OH A.MKKK "AN TANTIIKR. This animul is t)no of tlio lar<,'('st of the cat family that exists oil the Western Coiitiiic-nt, hciiio; rivaled only hv the jast common way of takino; them. They are cow.nrdly, and rarely attack a man unless wounded, when tWv are dangerous. If'- 1 m • il 1,1 : 1 1 t i: I i M\' \i \i^ i» CArTUKE OK ANIMALS. 69 The best way to take Panthers with steel-traps is to find where tliey have killed a deer or other animal, and left part of the carcass. Secrete the trap near the remains, and you will catch them when they retni'n for a second tneal. They seldom leave the vicinity of an animal they have killed, till it is all devonred. The sanie is true of all the lartfe animals of the cat kind, such as the lion, ti<;er, leoj)ard, jaguar, &c. l! il i I i' THK J.\(JU.\U. Like the couj^ar, this is an exclusively American am'mal. Thou<:;h scarcely etpialling the cougar in extreme length, the Jaguar is stouter and more formitlahle. It is found from Louisiana to Buenos Ayres. This animal has a large head, a robust body, and is very ferocious. Its usual size is about three fourths that of the tiger. Humboldt, however, states that he saw Jaguars which in length surpassed that of all the tigers of Asia which he had seen in the collections of Europe. The Jajjuar is sometimes called the American ti<;er. Their favorite haunts are the swamps and jungles of tropical Amer- ica. There they subsist on monkeys, capabyras or water- hogs, tapirs, j)eccaries, birds, turtles and turtle eggs, lizards, fish, shell-Hsh, and insects. Emerging from these haunts into the more open country, they prey upon deer, horses, cattle, sheep, and farm stock. In the early days of the settlement of South America the Jaguar was one of the greatest scourges the settlers had to meet. Thev haunted the clearings and j)lantations and devoured horses, cattle, and sheep without mercy. Nor were the settlers themselves and their children free from their attack. For many years where Jaguars abounded the settlers had a" ivduous warfare before they could exterminate the ferociovis marauders, or drive them from the vicinity of their habitations. The Jaguar is a cautious and sus|)lcious animal. It never makes an open attack on man or beast. It api)roaclies its prey stealthily, and pounces upon it from some hiding-place, or some position of advantage. It will follow a herd of ani- mals for many miles in hopes of securing a straggler; and always chooses the hindmost animal, in order that if turned m I'll I iH ~ kt i i i!n ] ■ 1 V' 60 TIIK TKAITEIIS AKT. upon, it may escape with its prey tlie more easily. In this way it pursues men. A Jarotect them from the vultures ; and either remains watchine; near at hand or retires for a time till appetite revives, when he returns to complete his carnival." The Jaf beasts." Lions belonti; to the cat family, and prey upon all animals they can master. They approach their i)rey stealthily, like a cat hunting a mouse, and spring upon it unawares. Human beings are not exempt from their attack, but form their most coveted prey when once an appe- tite for human flesh has been established. In Africa they iumg round the villages, and carry otf every man, woman, or child thev can secure, and make great havoc amouir all kinds of domestic animals. G(3rar(l, the French Lion-hunter of North Africa, estimates that the avera";e leiijith of liie of the Lion is thirty-Hve to forty years; and that he kills, or con- sumes, year by year, horses, mules, horned cattle, camels, and sheep, to the value of twelve hundred dollars. Taking the average of his life, which is thirty-iive years, each Lion costs tlie Arabs of that country forty-two thousand dollars. The Lion is mostly nocturnal in its habits, hunting its prey and satisfying its appetite during the night, and sleeping and 1 ' II |.i! IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 12.8 2.2 IM m %& 12.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ 6" — ► Vi <^ n A VI c*. e-i <$>. c» ^% d? / /^ Photographic Sciences Corporation ^ V 4s \ \ ^