_Fauna._--The animal life of Maine shows a mixture of northern and
southern forms, and very little that is peculiar as compared with
surrounding regions. The state has moose, caribou and deer, especially
in the northern part. The black bear, wolf, catamount, wolverine, wild
cat, fox, beaver, racoon, marten, sable, woodchuck, skunk, otter,
mink, rabbit and squirrel are also found. Geese, ducks and other water
fowl frequent the lakes and bays in the migratory season, and eagles,
gulls, hawks, kingfishers, owls, plover, woodcock, "partridge" (ruffed
grouse), robins, orioles, bobolinks, blue birds, swallows, sparrows,
and many other insectivorous birds are common. In the inland waters
salmon, trout, togue (_Salvelinus namaycush_), pickerel and bass
abound; along the shore there are lobsters, clams and scallops
(_Pecten irradians_); and off the shore are herring, alewives,
mackerel, cod, halibut, haddock, smelts, hake, menhaden, porgies and
porpoises. The game in the North Woods attracts large numbers of
sportsmen during the autumn season.
[Illustration: Map of Maine.]
_Flora._--Maine was formerly covered with forests, principally of
white pine and spruce, but mixed with these were some hemlock,
tamarack, cedar, and, on the south slope, birch, poplar, oak, maple
and beech. Chestnut and walnut are rare and are found only near the
south-west border. In 1900 about 21% of the state's area was cleared,
and much besides had once been cleared, but not being suited to
agriculture had become reforested. Of fruit trees the chief is the
apple. The plum, cherry and pear also thrive. The peach grows well
only in the south-west near the border. Species of grape, gooseberry
and currant are native, and others are cultivated with advantage. The
blackberry, raspberry, blueberry and strawberry grow wild in profusion
throughout the state.
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