. Animal snapshots and how made . rail and soon arrives at the tree in which the rac-coon is, perchance, quietly sleeping. The man followsand fells the tree. As it strikes the ground it some-times breaks apart,—and instead of one raccoon theremay be two or three, and occasionally five or the tree does not break apart, the game must bechopped out. I have known one hunter in a singleday to capture eight raccoons by this method. The young ones are often taken for pets, and I donot know of any pet wild animal that furnishes moreamusement than does the raccoon. I have had twoat different tim
. Animal snapshots and how made . rail and soon arrives at the tree in which the rac-coon is, perchance, quietly sleeping. The man followsand fells the tree. As it strikes the ground it some-times breaks apart,—and instead of one raccoon theremay be two or three, and occasionally five or the tree does not break apart, the game must bechopped out. I have known one hunter in a singleday to capture eight raccoons by this method. The young ones are often taken for pets, and I donot know of any pet wild animal that furnishes moreamusement than does the raccoon. I have had twoat different times, taken from the tree before theywere large enough to leave it. In each case theanimal became very tame, and would come whencalled. But they are something of a disappointmenttoo; for after a year or so when you have really be-come attached to your pet, he is apt to fall into badhabits, such as catching chickens or destroying hens^eggs, making it necessary to chain him. If youpunish him sufficiently to correct his ways, and do. ON 2 O ou < wKH The Raccoon 6i not chain him, he takes to the barn, hiding in thehaymow, where you seldom see him. Finally hebegins to make nightly excursions; and sooner orlater he hears and answers the call of his wild kin-dred, leaving the haymow nest for the freedom of ahollow in a tree and the companionship of his ownkind. The raccoon shows considerable affection for hismaster, and his skilful manner in using his paws,and the intelligent expression of his face, endear himto all who make his acquaintance. We sincerely hopethat the tracks of this little prowler will long be foundabout the muddy banks of the old familiar brooks andponds, and that the quavering voice may still shiveron the August night. Some say that it is the cry ofthe screech owl and not that of the raccoon; butwhether the cry that vibrates through the gloom ofgrove and orchard be that of owl or raccoon, longmay it be before either shall go the way of all wildthings!
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectani, booksubjectbirds
