Macon County, Illinois - Chapter 7: Fauna, 1880

Chapter 7: Fauna

T may be remarked in the outset, that this article is not designed to be an elaborate or scientific treatise on Natural History, as relating to animal life, or a learned essay upon the branches, classes, orders, etc., into which scientists have classified the animal kingdom. The discussion of such subjects, however interesting, belongs to the beautiful science of zoology, and transcends the scope of a miscellaneous county history. Our object, rather, is to present, with some of their leading characteristics, a list of the principal animals found here at the time of, and subsequent to, the advent of civilized man. In doing so we shall omit the ordinary domestic animals, and also the insects, no complete classification of the latter having ever been made for this locality, and the time for the compilation of this work being necessarily too brief to allow such classification to be prepared, The most important Order of animals, indigenous to this region, is the

Ungulata, Or Hoofed

Of the hoofed animals, one of the most prominent is the American Bison (Bison, or Bos Americanus,) which disappeared from the prairies of Illinois before the arrival of the white man, leaving, as the only evidence of its former presence, a few " buffalo wallows " in certain parts of the State. The Bison is a large animal, with thick, heavy body, short, stout legs, short black horns, and black, or brown, shaggy hair. Large herds of these animals, at present, roam over the plains at the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains. Like the Mastodon, and other ancient animals, the Bison is destined, at no distant day, to become extinct. The American Elk (Cervus Americanus ,) next to the Moose, is the largest deer of America. It is remarkable for the size of its antlers, which sometimes grow to the height of six feet, and weigh from forty to eighty pounds. The animal itself is about as tall as an ordinary horse, is very fleet, and has wonderful powers of endurance. It long ago left the prairies of Illinois, and is now found in the northern parts of the United States and in British America. The deer family ( Cervidce ) has had, so far as is known, only one rejmesentative in this region, viz : the common American deer, (Cervus Virginianus) which disappeared from its prairie haunts several years ago, and is now found in the mountainous regions of Missouri, and the unsettled parts of other States. Its flesh is very sweet and palatable, and is highly prized in the finest markets, where it commands a ready sale at the highest price.

Carnivora, Or Flesh-Eaters

The most ferocious animal of the carnivorous Order, common to this country, is the wolf, which belongs to the dog family (Canidcc). There were formerly two species of this animal in Macon county, viz: the prairie wolf (Cam's latrans), and the common American, or Gray Wolf (Canis occidentalism. The former is small with long body, elongated, sharp muzzle, smooth tongue, and, like all the dog family, had five-toed forefeet, and four-toed hind ones. It formerly inhabited, in large numbers, the wild prairie regions, but latterly has disappeared from this part of the State. The latter is large, with long slim body, long, sharp muzzle, smooth tongue, and straight, bushy tail. In years gone by, the howling of these wolves was the evening serenade of the pioneer settlers, and foreboded havoc among the flocks of those times. A few cf this species are still found in dense woodlands and unfrequented thickets on the prairies. Two species of fox ( Vulpes ) are found here, the common or Gray Fox

(Vulpes vulgaris), and the Red Fox ( Vulpes julvus). The former are still numerous in this region ; the latter, rare. Both species are noted for their extreme cunning, and their predatory habits. Foxes are readily distinguished by their slender, pointed muzzle, long, bushy tail, and the elliptical pupil of the eye. Of the cat family (Felidcc) the only two indigenous representatives are the American Wild Cat (Lynx rufus), and the Canadian Lynx (Lynx canadensis). The former was very common during the early history of this country. It was about thirty inches long, of a pale, rufous color dappled with gray, ears black on the outside, tail short with black patch above at the end. It was very destructive to lambs, kids> poultry, Ac. It has, within the last few years, almost disappeared. The Lynx was never common in Illinois, though it was occasionally seen thirty years ago, and even later. It is about forty inches long, of a grayish color, streaked with black ; ears tipped with a bunch of black hairs, and tail very short. It is further distinguished by having one molar less than the true cat, in each side of the upper jaw. It is extremely doubtful whether the panther (Felii pardus), ever inhabited these regions. A few individual members of this genus may have been seen here during their migrations from one place to another ; but that this animal ever had any permanent habitat in this prairie country, is highly improbable. The common Raccoon (Procyon lotor) is one of the most familiar wild animals in these parts. It inhabits the timbered regions, generally near some stream or body of water, to which it resorts for food, in the shape of craw-fish, frogs, mussels, Ac. It also feeds upon roots, berries, young corn, "roasting-ears," birds and other small animals. This animal, from the end of its nose to the tip of the tail, is about two feet long, and has a pointed muzzle, five toes on each foot, and a ringed tail. It is nocturnal in its habits, and in cold climates passes the winter in a partially torpid state. Its fur is valuable. The raccoon belongs to the family of Procyonidcc, of which it is probably the only representative in this region. There is no evidence at hand that the Bear family ( Ursid <e) ever had any representatives in the county.

To the weasel family (Mustelidce) belong the well-known animals, minks, skunks, otters, common weasels, Ac., most of which have long, slender bodies, five-toed feet, and glands which secrete a liquid of very disagreeable odor. Otters and minks are hunted for their furs, which are very valuable. The former are amphibious, and are at present rarely seen. The costly fur called ermine is obtained from a weasel which inhabits the northern parts of Europe and Asia.

Weasels are brown in summer and white in winter, the tip of the tail being black. The color of minks is dark-brown, or black, throughout the year. The otter, (Lutra canadensis,) is black, and is noted for its size and strength. Its toes are webbed ; head large and flat ; ears short ; tail slightly flattened, and nails crooked. It is aquatic, and subsists on fish. Minks and weasels prey on birds, poultry and small animals of various kinds. The skunk ^ Mephitis Americana) has a pointed nose, bushy tail, and is nocturnal. It feeds upon beetles and other small animals. It is also fond of eggs. It was very common a few years ago, but like most of the wild animals, is gradually disappearing. Of the opossum family (Didelphididee), the only species here is the common opossum (Didelphys Virginiana). Opossums are small animals, about twenty inches long to the tail, which is from twelve to fifteen inches in length, nearly bare, and prehensile. Its hair is whitish with dark-brown tips. When captured and wounded, it feigns itself dead. It is a marsupial, or pouched animal, and carries its young, which at birth, weigh only a few grains, in a ventral pouch situated near its hindlegs. On emerging from this pouch, which occurs four or five weeks from birth, the young twine their tails around that of their mother, and thus supported ride on her back. The opossum lives on birds, eggs, insects and other small animals. This animal, like the raccoon, is found in all parts of the United States and throughout most of North America.

Rodentia, Or Gnawers

The animals of this order are easily distinguished by their teeth. In the front part of each jaw, they have two chisel-shaped incisors, between which and the molars is a considerable space, without teeth, these animals having no canines. The largest representative of the rodents ever known in this country is the American beaver ( Castor canadensis ) and it is very doubtful whether it at any time had permanent habitat in this county. The rats and mice ( Murid ce ) constitute the most numerous family of the rodents. They number, in all, aboutthree hundred species in the world.

Their appearance and habits are too well known to require description here. The black rat ( Mus rattus ) was formerly very common, but of late years it has been almost extirpated by the brown, or Norway rat ( Mus decumanus ), which is much larger and stronger.

Of the mice we note, as found here, the common house-mouse ( Mus musculus ), the field-mouse, the meadow-mouse, the jumpingmouse ( Jaculus hudsonius, of the family Jaculidce), - which has a body about three inches long and a tail six inches, - and the treemouse. The musk-rat ( Ondatra zibethicus), allied to the beaver, has but one species. This animal is about the size of a cat, and has a strong, musky smell. It is amphibious, building its mud houses in ponds and shallow lakes. It is a native of North America, and is still quite common. Its fur, like that of the beaver, is valuable. The fur of the latter is used for making the finest hats.

The squirrel family ( Sciuridce ) is represented here by the red (fox) squirrel ( Sciurus liudsonius'), the gray squirrel ( Sciurus Carolinensis), the flying-squirrel ( Pteromys volucella), the groundsquirrel ( Tamias striatus ), the gopher ( Spermaphilus ), the prairie squirrel and the woodchuck or groundhog (Arctomys monax ) all of which are so common that they need not be described.

Of the hare family ( Leporidce ), the common gray rabbit (. Lepsus cummins'), is the only representative now inhabiting this region. It is very prolific, and is destined to propagate its species long after some of the animals mentioned shall have become extinct.

Bats and moles - the former belonging to the order of animals ( Chiroptera ,) the latter to the order ( Ivsedivora ) - are still very numerous. Both are carnivorous ( insectivorous ), and during hibernation are semi-torpid.

Class Of Ayes, Or Birds

In the following list of birds indigenous to the county, the old system of groups, or orders, is used rather than the new classification of birds adopted provisionally by the Smithsonian Institute at Washington. The former, as it contains fewer and less difficult technical terms, will, it is believed, be more readily understood by the general reader. The chief characteristics of all the birds belonging to each order are given first, and appended thereto are the names of such birds of the order as are indigenous to this region.

Raptores, Or Birds Of Prey

These are generally of large size and stout form ; bills hooked and very strong; claws sharp and curved; wings extensive and muscles powerful ; females larger than males ; live in pairs and choose their mates for life (?). Under this order and belonging to the hawk family ( Falconidcc ), are the sparrow-hawk ( Tinnunculus alandarius) ; swallow-tailed hawk (Nauclerus furcatus) ; hen-harrier

( Circus cyaneus) ; goshawk (Falco palambariue) ; sharp-skinned hawk, red-tailed hawk ( Buteo borealis ) ; red -shouldered hawk, pigeon-hawk ( Falco Columbarum) ; white-headed ("bald") eagle (. Halietus leucocephalus ) ; ring-tailed, or golden eagle (Aquila chryccetos).

To the owl family ( Strigidce ) belong the great horned owl ( Bubo Virginianue) ; snowy owl (Strix nisa) ; barred owl (Syrnium nebulosum, or "hoot-owl"); American barn or screech-owl (Strix jlauimce) ; spotted owl, marsh owl Kennicott's (?) owl.

Rasores, Or Scratching Birds

Birds of this order are characterized by tbeir stout bodies, strong legs and feet, and their general adaptation to living on the ground. It includes the wild turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo), prairie-hen ( Tetrao cupido), ruffled grouse, or "partridge" ( Bonasa umbellus), quail ( Ortyx Virginianus) , turtle-dove (Turtur auritus), wild or passenger pigeon ( Ectopistes migratoria).

Grallatores Or Wading Birds

These have long necks, long bills, very long and slender legs, and slender bodies. Their general form is well adapted to wading. This order includes the plover ( Charadrius ), common snipe ( Scolopax gallinago), American woodcock ( Philohela minor), Wilson's snipe ( Gallinago Wilsonii), mud-hen ( Fulica Americana), kill-dee (. Aegialites vociferus), red-breasted snipe ( Gambetta melanoleuca), tell-tale snipe ( Gambetta jlavipes), water-rail (: Rallus aqualicus), sand hill crane ( Grus Canadensis), blue crane ( Grus Americanus), yellow-legged and upland plover, white crane ( Grus albus), and heron ( Ardea cinerea).

Natatores, Or Swimming Birds

These are broad and flat ; feathers compact and well oiled ; legs wide apart ; femur short ; and feet webbed. Under this order are found the common wild goose ( Anser Americanus), summer or wood duck (Aix sponsa), Canada goose ( Bermicala Canadensis ), American Swan ( Cygnus Americanus), brand-goose, or " brant " (Anser bernicla), butter ball (Bucephala albeola), mallard (Anas boschas), blue-winged teal (Boschas crecca), American widgeon (Mareca Americana), red-head duck (Aythaya Americana), canvassback duck (?) Aythaya vallisneria), green-winged teal (Nettion Carolinensis), pintail duck (Dafila acuta), trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator).

Insessores, Or Perching Birds

The perchers differ greatly among themselves ; all have three front toes and a single hind one ; feet well adapted to perching. To this order belong the majority of birds, of which we note, as belonging here, the wood thrush (Turdus mustelinus), mocking bird (Mimus polyglottus), blue-bird (Sialis Wilsonii), cat bird (Mimus Carolinensis), robin (Turdus migratorius), brown thrush, or "thrasher" (Tardus rufus), titmouse, or chickadee (Parus atricappillus), brown creeper (Certkia jamiliaris), nuthatch (Sitta Carolinensis), winter wren (Troglodytes hyemalis), cedar bird ( Ampelis cedrorum), rose-breasted grosbeak (Guiraca ludoviciana), chew ink (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) , meadow-lark (Sturnella magna), blue jay (Cyanura cristata ), wren (Ti'oglodytes domestica), warblers, barnswallow (Hirundo lwrdeorum), bank-swallow (Cotyle riparia), blue martin (Progne purpurea), cardinal red bird (Cardinalis Virginianus), field sparrow (Spizella pusilla ), indigo bird (Cyanospiza cyanea), great northern shrike, or butcher bird (Collar io borealis), yellow, or thistle bird (Sylvitica (estiva), swamp, or red winged black bird (Sturnus predatorius) , cow blackbird ("cowbird "), common blackbird ( Merula musicd), king bird, or bee martin ( Tyrannus Carolinensis), Raven ( Core us corax), common crow ( Corvus Americanus), Summer red bird ( Pyrangra ccstiva), scarlet tanager, Baltimore oriole {Icterus Baltimore), pewee, or Phoebe bird, ( Sayorius fuscus), kingfisher ( Ceryle alcyon), ruby-tliroated humming-bird (Trochilus colubris), yellow-billed cuckoo {Cue ulus canorus), rubycrowned kinglet, golden-crowned kinglet, whippoorwill (Antrostomus vociferus), grass sparrow, or black throated bunting, lark sparrow, or finch, snow bird ( Junco hyemalis), chipping sparrow (Spizella socialis), night hawk ( Chordeiles popetue).

Scaxsores, Or Climbing Birds

Birds of this order have their toes in pairs, two in front and two behind. Under this order and indigenous to this county are the swift, or chimney swallow ( Cypselus pelasyius), redheaded woodpecker ( Melanerpes erythrocephalus), golden-winged woodpecker ( Calaptes auratus), Carolina paroquet ( Conurus Carolinensis), sap sucker (Picas pubescens).

Under this class we find represented here the order Testudinata, or turtles, and including such individuals as the box turtle (Cistudo virginea), snapping-turtle ( Chelyara serpentina), wood tortoise (Glyptemys insculpta), and soft-shelled turtles including mud turtles. Of the order Lacertia (lizards), the common striped lizard ( Ameiva scxlineata) is the only representative we have found here. Under the order (Ophidia), or serpents, we note the common blacksnake ( Bascanion constrictor), water snake (Serpens aquaticus), rattlesnake (crotalus horridus), moccasin (Toxicophis atrapiscus), copperhead (Trigonocephalus contortrix), garter snake (Eutania eirtalis), house snake, joint snake, blue racer, and green snake. Of these, the rattlesnake, copperhead, and moccasin are very poisonous, and therefore most to be dreaded. The blowing, or hissing adder, a venomous serpent, is rarely seen here.

The class Batrachia, or frogs, has as representatives, the leopard frog ( Kana hulecina), bull frog (Rana pipiens), wood frog, tree frog ("tree toad") (Rana hyla), marsh frog (Rana palustris), common toad (Bvfo vulgaris), tadpole, salamander (Amblystoma punctatum), triton, or water newt (Diemidylus viridescens) , and mud puppy (Menobranchus lateralis).

The class of Pisces, or fishes, is represented, in the streams of the county, by the white, the black, and the striped bass, cat-fish, pike, sturgeon (rare), gar, goggle-eyed perch, sun-fish, chub, white perch (" croppie "?), white and black suckers, buffalo, and a few others of minor importance.