Transactions Volume 1-3 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 edition. Excerpt: ... in all parts of the region traversed--from the Black River Valley to the Saranacs and Tupper's Lakes. Dr. F. H. Hoadley, who spent the winter at Big Moose Lake, informs me that they continued in undiminished numbers throughout the months of January, February, and March, proving a serious grievance to the trapper. The next fall, that of 1882, the nut crop failed (as it always does here on the alternate years), and I found but few Red Squirrels in the Adirondacks in October and November. As the winter advanced they became less and less common, and in January I did not see a single one, and but two of their tracks, while on a snow-shoe tramp from Big Otter to Big Moose Lake. cold. When fierce storms sweep over the land he retires to his nest, to appear again with the first lull of the wind, be the temperature never so low. I have many times observed him when the thermometer ranged from thirty to forty degrees below zero Centigrade (-22 to-40 F.), but could never see that he was inconvenienced by the cold. When running upon the snow he often plunges down out of sight, tunnels a little distance, and, reappearing, shakes the snow from his head and body, whisks his tail, and skips along as lightly and with as much apparent pleasure as if returning from a bath in some rippling brook during the heat of a summer's afternoon. He possesses the rare and philosophical accomplishment of combining work with recreation, and sets about the performance of his self-imposed tasks with such roguish humor that it is a pleasure to watch him. In marked contrast to these free and happy habits is the stealth and sullenness that characterize the actions of some of the Carnivores, notably of the family Mustelidae. The Red Squirrel enjoys a game of "tag"' even more...