by Mayne Reid
CHAPTER TWELVE.
THE 'COON, AND HIS HABITS.
Foremost of all the wild creatures of America in point of beinggenerally known is the raccoon (_Procyon lotor_). None has a widergeographical distribution, as its "range" embraces the entire Continent,from the Polar Sea to Terra del Fuego. Some naturalists have deniedthat it is found in South America. This denial is founded on the fact,that neither Ulloa nor Molina have spoken of it. But how many otheranimals have these crude naturalists omitted to describe? We may safelyassert that the raccoon exists in South America, as well in the tropicalforests of Guyana as in the colder regions of the Table Land--everywherethat there exists tree-timber. In most parts where the Spanish languageis spoken, it is known as the "_zorro negro_," or black fox. Indeed,there are two species in South America, the common one (_Procyonlotor_), and the crab-eater (_Procyon cancrivorus_).
In North America it is one of the most common of wild animals. In allparts you may meet with it. In the hot lowlands of Louisiana--in thetropical "chapparals" of Mexico--in the snowy regions of Canada--and inthe vernal valleys of California. Unlike the deer, the wild cat, andthe wolverine, it is never mistaken for any other animal, nor is anyanimal taken for it. It is as well-known in America as the red fox isin England, and with a somewhat similar reputation.
Although there is a variety in colour and size, there is no ambiguityabout species or genus. Wherever the English language is spoken, it hasbut one name, the "raccoon." In America, every man, woman and childknows the "sly ole 'coon."
This animal has been placed by naturalists in the family _Ursidae_,genus _Procyon_. Linnaeus made it a _bear_, and classed it with_Ursus_. It has, in our opinion, but little in common with the bear,and far more resembles the fox. Hence the Spanish name of "_zorronegro_" (black fox).
A writer quaintly describes it thus:--"The limbs of a bear, the body ofa badger, the head of a fox, the nose of a dog, the tail of a cat, andsharp claws, by which it climbs trees like a monkey." We cannot admitthe similarity of its tail to that of a cat. The tail of the raccoon isfull and bushy, which is not true of the cat's tail. There is only asimilarity in the annulated or banded appearance noticed in the tails ofsome cats, which in that of the raccoon is a marked characteristic.
The raccoon, to speak in round terms, is about the size of an Englishfox, but somewhat thicker and "bunchier" in the body. Its legs areshort in proportion, and as it is _plantigrade_ in the hind-feet, itstands and runs low, and cat-like. The muzzle is extremely pointed andslender, adapted to its habit of prying into every chink and corner, insearch of spiders, beetles, and other creatures.
The general colour of the raccoon is dark brown (nearly black) on theupper part of the body, mixed with iron-grey. Underneath it is of alighter hue. There is, here and there, a little fawn colour intermixed.A broad black band runs across the eyes and unites under the throat.This band is surrounded and sharply defined with a margin ofgreyish-white, which gives a unique expression to the "countenance" ofthe "'coon."
One of the chief beauties of this animal is its tail, which ischaracteristic in its markings. It exhibits twelve annulations orring-bands, six black and six greyish-white, in regular alternation.The tip is black, and the tail itself is very full or "bushy." When the'coon-skin is made into a cap--which it often is among hunters andfrontiers-men--the tail is left to hang as a drooping plume; and such ahead-dress is far from ungraceful. In some "settlements" the 'coon-skincap is quite the fashion among the young "backwoodsmen."
The raccoon is an animal of an extremely amorous disposition; but thereis a fact connected with the sex of this creature which is curious: thefemale is larger than the male. Not only larger, but in every respect afiner-looking animal. The hair, long on both, is more full and glossyupon the female, its tints deeper and more beautiful. This is contraryto the general order of nature. By those unacquainted with this fact,the female is mistaken for the male, and _vice versa_, as in the case ofhawks and eagles.
The fur of the raccoon has long been an article of commerce, as it isused in making beaver hats; but as these have given place in mostcountries to the silk article, the 'coon-skin now commands but a smallprice.
The raccoon is a tree-climber of the first quality. It climbs with itssharp-curved claws, not by hugging, as is the case with the bear tribe.Its lair, or place of retreat, is in a tree--some hollow, with itsentrance high up. Such trees are common in the great primeval forestsof America. In this tree-cave it has its nest, where the female bringsforth three, four, five, or six "cubs" at a birth. This takes place inearly spring--usually the first week in April.
The raccoon is a creature of the woods. On the prairies and in treelessregions it is not known. It prefers heavy "timber," where there arehuge logs and hollow trees in plenty. It requires the neighbourhood ofwater, and in connection with this may be mentioned a curious habit ithas, 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 fromthis peculiarity that the raccoon derives its specific name of _Lotor_(washer). It does not always moisten its morsel thus, but prettygenerally. It is fond, moreover, of frequent ablutions, and no animalis more clean and tidy in its habits.
The raccoon is almost omnivorous. It eats poultry or wild fowls. Itdevours frogs, lizards, lame, and insects without distinction. It isfond of sweets, and is very destructive to the sugar-cane and Indiancorn of the planter. When the ear of the maize is young, or, as it istermed, "in the milk," it is very sweet. Then the raccoon loves to preyupon it. Whole troops at night visit the corn-fields and commitextensive havoc. These mischievous habits make the creature manyenemies, 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 themost ruthless manner. It is particularly fond of shell-fish; and the_unios_, with which many of the fresh-water lakes and rivers of Americaabound, form part of its food. These it opens as adroitly with itsclaws 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 catchingthe small turtles of the creek. We were not inclined to give credenceto the story, but Jake almost swore to it. It is certainly curious iftrue, but it smacks very much of Buffon. It may be remarked, however,that the knowledge which the plantation negroes have of the habits ofthe raccoon surpasses that of any mere naturalist. Jake boldly declaresthat the 'coon fishes for turtles! that it squats upon the bank of thestream, allowing its bushy tail to hang over into the water; that theturtles swimming about in search of food or amusement, spies the hairyappendage and lays hold of it; and that the 'coon, feeling the nibble,suddenly draws the testaceous swimmer upon dry land, and then "cleansout de shell" at his leisure!
The 'coon is often domesticated in America. It is harmless as a dog orcat except when crossed by children, when it will snarl, snap, and bitelike the most crabbed cur. It is troublesome, however, where poultry iskept, and this prevents its being much of a favourite. Indeed, it isnot one, for it is hunted everywhere, and killed--wherever this can bedone--on sight.
There is a curious connection between the negro and the raccoon. It isnot a tie of sympathy, but a kind of antagonism. The 'coon, as alreadyobserved, is the negro's legitimate game. 'Coon-hunting is peculiarly anegro sport. The negro is the 'coon's mortal enemy. He kills the 'coonwhen and wherever he can, and cats it too. He loves its "meat," whichis pork-tasted, and in young 'coons palatable enough, but in old onesrather rank. This, however, our "darkie" friend does not much mind,particularly if his master be a "stingy old boss," and keeps him on riceinstead of meat rations. The negro, moreover, makes an odd "bit"(twelve and a half cents) by the skin, which he disposes of to theneighbouring "storekeeper."
The 'coon-hunt is a "nocturnal" sport, and therefore does not interferewith the negro's regular labour. By right the night belongs to him, andhe may then dispose of his t
ime as he pleases, which he often does inthis very way.
The negro is not, allowed to carry fire-arms, and for this reason thesquirrel may perch upon a high limb, jerk its tail about and defy him;the hare may run swiftly away, and the wild turkey may tantalise himwith its incessant "gobbling." But the 'coon can be killed withoutfire-arms. The 'coon can be overtaken and "treed." The negro is notdenied the use of an axe, and no man knows better how to handle it thanhe. The 'coon, therefore, is his natural game, and much sport does hehave in its pursuit. Nearly the same may be said of the opossum(_Didelphis Virginiana_); but the "'possum" is more rare, and it is notour intention now to describe that very curious creature. From both'coon and 'possum does the poor negro derive infinite sport--many asweet excitement that cheers his long winter nights, and chequers withbrighter spots the dull and darksome monotony of his slave-life. I haveoften thought what a pity it would be if the 'coon and the opossumshould be extirpated before slavery itself became extinct. I had oftenshared in this peculiar sport of the negro, and joined in a real'coon-chase, but the most exciting of all was the first in which I hadbeen engaged, and I proffered my comrades an account of it.