Gibbons, Diane K. Mammal tracks and signs of the Northeast.Univ. Press of New England. 137p. illus. maps. bibliog. index. c2003. 1-58465-242-X. $16.95. JSA Diane Gibbons is a naturalist and tracker whose field guide is filled with detailed pencil drawings of 36 mammal tracks. Each animal is accompanied by its overall track, front track, rear track, trail width, habitat, food, scat. breeding, and walking pattern. Maps show habitats and clues give users hints about what to look for. For example, cottontail cottontail a wild rabbit, Sylvilagus spp. clues say to "Look for 'forms,' which are shallow depressions in the ground in thickets and brushy areas where the rabbits sleep and nest. They will use woodchuck woodchuck or groundhog, common name of a North American species of marmot, Marmota monax. This large rodent is found in open woods and ravines throughout most of Canada and the NE United States. dens in the ground for shelter in winter but do not dig deep holes, Also look for 45-degree cuts on blueberry bushes and other small shrubs, and debarking debarking surgical removal of all or part of the vocal cords; practiced in the dog to reduce a barking nuisance. Called also devocalization. on fruit trees. Cottontails use obvious trails in shrubs and grasses and make dust bath depressions about a foot in diameter." Mammals include the opossum opossum (əpŏs`əm, pŏs`–), name for several marsupials, or pouched mammals, of the family Didelphidae, native to Central and South America, with one species extending N to the United States. , shrew, hare, chipmunk chipmunk, rodent of the family Sciuridae (squirrel family). The chipmunk of the E United States and SE Canada is of the genus Tamias. The body of the common Eastern chipmunk, Tamias striatus, is about 5 to 6 in. , squirrel, beaver, mouse, vole, muskrat muskrat, North American aquatic rodent. The common muskrats, species of the genus Ondatra, are sometimes called by their Native American name, musquash. , rat, porcupine, dog, gray wolf, coyote, fox, black bear, raccoon, weasel, mink, marten, fisher, otter, skunk, housecat, bobcat, lynx, mountain lion, white-tailed deer, elk, and moose. The introduction is a must-read, as it includes a detailed key and manual for tracking. Measurements are given in both inches and centimeters. The drawings of prints are to scale. An excellent field guide for the serious tracker. Janet Julian, Grafton, MA J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers. S--Recommended for senior high school students. A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries. |
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