own.
The creature must have been starved and desperately thin to have
squeezed himself through the openings between the logs, and no doubt,
impelled by hunger and the smell of the meat inside, had not thought
much of a slight squeeze. When, however, he was once in, and had
enjoyed a few good meals, he could not get out again, and the idea of
starving himself as long as the meat lasted did not appear to have
occurred to him.

The disappointment to the hungry travellers was very great, as but
little food was left, and that was mangled, torn, and tossed about in
the dirt by the animal.

THE RACCOON.

To obtain a satisfactory sight of the raccoon, we must set out into the
forest by torchlight, accompanied by dogs, with fowling-piece in hand.
As he remains during the day in some hollow tree, it is rarely we can
get a good view of him. Even if by chance found on the ground, he
ascends the tree so rapidly, that he is stowed away before our rifle can
reach the shoulder. The well-trained dog, however, quickly finds him
when roving about the woods at night.

Let us accompany Audubon on a 'coon hunt. Our native companions have
gone before with the dogs, who are baying at the raccoon in an open part
of the forest. On our coming up, a singular scene presents itself to
us. The flare of our torch seems to distress him. His coat is ruffled,
and his rounded tail seems thrice its ordinary size. His eyes shine
like emeralds. With foaming jaws he watches the dogs, ready to seize by
the snout each who comes within reach. His guttural growlings, instead
of intimidating his assailants, excite them the more. He seizes one,
however, by the lip. It is a dangerous proceeding, for, while thus far
victorious, the other curs attack him in flank and rear, while their
companion yells pitifully. The raccoon will not let go, but the other
dogs, seizing him fast, worry him to death. Yet to the last he holds
tightly the dog's lip.

While we stand gazing at the poor animal, all around is, by the flare of
the torch, rendered trebly dark and dismal. It is a scene for a skilful
painter.

The raccoon is about the same size as a small fox, and though somewhat
like it, has also rather an ursine appearance. He has a tufted tail
marked with black and white bands. The head tapers somewhat like that
of the fox, but the ears are short and slightly rounded, the forehead
broad, and the nose sharp. The fore-legs being shorter than the hinder,