ging, as is the case with the bear tribe.
Its lair, or place of retreat, is in a tree--some hollow, with its
entrance high up. Such trees are common in the great primeval forests
of America. In this tree-cave it has its nest, where the female brings
forth three, four, five, or six "cubs" at a birth. This takes place in
early spring--usually the first week in April.

The raccoon is a creature of the woods. On the prairies and in treeless
regions it is not known. It prefers heavy "timber," where there are
huge logs and hollow trees in plenty. It requires the neighbourhood of
water, and in connection with this may be mentioned a curious habit it
has, that of plunging all its food into the water before devouring it.
It will be remembered that the otter has a similar habit. It is from
this peculiarity that the raccoon derives its specific name of _Lotor_
(washer). It does not always moisten its morsel thus, but pretty
generally. It is fond, moreover, of frequent ablutions, and no animal
is more clean and tidy in its habits.

The raccoon is almost omnivorous. It eats poultry or wild fowls. It
devours frogs, lizards, lame, and insects without distinction. It is
fond of sweets, and is very destructive to the sugar-cane and Indian
corn of the planter. When the ear of the maize is young, or, as it is
termed, "in the milk," it is very sweet. Then the raccoon loves to prey
upon it. Whole troops at night visit the corn-fields and commit
extensive havoc. These mischievous habits make the creature many
enemies, and in fact it has but few friends. It kills hares, rabbits,
and squirrels when it can catch them, and will rob a bird's nest in the
most ruthless manner. It is particularly fond of shell-fish; and the
_unios_, with which many of the fresh-water lakes and rivers of America
abound, form part of its food. These it opens as adroitly with its
claws as an oyster-man could with his knife. It is partial to the
"soft-shell" crabs and small tortoises common in the American waters.

Jake told us of a trick which the 'coon puts in practice for catching
the small turtles of the creek. We were not inclined to give credence
to the story, but Jake almost swore to it. It is certainly curious if
true, but it smacks very much of Buffon. It may be remarked, however,
that the knowledge which the plantation negroes have of the habits of
the raccoon surpasses that of any mere naturalist. Jake boldly declares
that the 'coon