Bulletin of the Essex Institute (Volume 26) (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. 1896. Excerpt: ... BULLETIN OF THE ESSE 31 INSTITUTE. Vol. 26. Salem: Jan., Feb., Mae., 1894. Nos. 1, 2, 8. A PKELIMINARY LIST OF THE VERTEBRATE ANIMALS OF KENTUCKY. By H. Carman, Lexington, Ky. This list is based upon collections and observations made since July, 1889, in various parts of Kentucky from points near the eastern limit of the State to Hickman on the Mississippi river. The original list, as thus prepared, has been extended by including species observed by Audubon, by Beckham in Spencer County, and very considerably by the use of the publications of the United States Fish Commission. Since the days of Audubon the bird fauna of the State has changed greatly, and his statements concerning the abundance of species are not in all cases to be accepted as applying at the present time. A few species which he observed here will probably not again be seen in Kentucky. Others which he recorded as occurring in great numbers are scarce. Some species, known to be (l) abundant at present, were not observed by him in the State and have probably increased in numbers since he collected. Facts of this sort will become more apparent when the list has been completed. It is published in its incomplete condition largely for the purpose of establishing a nucleus about which to build up a more thoroughgoing account of the vertebrate fauna of the State. The writer has given the mammals only incidental attention while engaged in other work. The list is very imperfect, especially in the small rodents, shrews and the like, a number of which have been observed but not studied. The lists of reptiles and amphibians probably do not contain more than half of our species. A good many which have been collected by me in southern Illinois, doubtless also occur on the Kentucky side of the Ohio river..