Scientific Names of the Animals

The Dawn of the World, by C. Hart Merriam, [1910], at sacred-texts.com

p. 237

FOR purposes of exact identification the scientific names of the mammals, birds, reptiles and a few other animals mentioned in the text are here given. Most of these were originally First People; they turned into animals at or about the time real people were created.

The Indian names of the First People who turned into these animals are given at the beginning of each story.

MAMMALS

Antelope, Antilocapra americana

Badger, Taxidea taxus neglecta

Bear--See Black, Grizzly, and Cinnamon Bear

Black Bear, Ursus americanus (black phase)

Bobcat or Wildcat, Lynx fasciatus pallescens

Cinnamon Bear, Ursus americanus (brown or red phase)

Cougar, Felis hippolestes

Coyote, Canis ochropus

Deer, Columbia Blacktail, Odocoileus columbianus

Elk, Cervus nannodes (California Valley Elk)

Fox, See Gray Fox

Gopher, Thomomys--several species

Gray Tree Squirrel, Sciurus fossor

p. 238

Grizzly Bear, Ursus horribilis californicus

Gray Fox, Urocyon californicus

Kangaroo Rat, Perodipus streatori (of the Sierra foothills)

Mountain Lion--See Cougar

Raccoon, Procyon psora

Skunk (large kind), Mephitis occidentalis

Shrew, Sorex vagrans

Timber-wolf, Canis

Weasel, Putorius xanthogenys

White-footed Mouse, Peromyscus gambeli

Woodrat, Neotoma fuscipes streatori (of the Sierra foothills)

BIRDS

Barn Owl, Aluco pratincola

Blackbird, Redwing, Agelaius (considered the male) and Brewer Blackbird, Euphagus (considered the female)

Bluejay, California, Aphelocoma californica

Bluejay, Mountain or Crested, Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis

Condor, Gymnogyps californianus

Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos hesperis

Dove, Zenaidura macroura carolinensis

Eagle, Bald or White-headed, Haliæetus leucocephalus

Eagle, Golden, Aquila chrysaetos

Falcon, Peregrine or Duck-hawk, Falco peregrinus anatum

p. 239

Falcon, Prairie, Falco mexicanus

Goose, Canada or Black-necked, Branta canadensis

Goose, Gray, Anser albifrons gambeli

Grebe (small) or Helldiver, Podilymbus podiceps

Heron, Great Blue, Ardea herodias

Humming-bird--several species

Mallard Duck, Anas platyrhynchos

Meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta

Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis aculeata

Owl, Great Horned, Bubo virginianus pacificus

Quail, California, Lophortyx californicus

Raven, Corvus corax sinuatus

Red-shafted Flicker, Colaptes cafer collaris

Robin, Planesticus migratorius propinquus

Sandhill Crane, Grus mexicana

Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus ruber

Screech Owl, Otus asio bendirei

Spoonbill or Shoveler Duck, Spatula clypeata

Turkey Buzzard, Cathartes aura septentrionalis

Wren, Tule, Telmatodytes palustris paludicola

REPTILES

Frog, Rana draytoni

Lizard, Black, Sceloporus biseriatus (black phase)

Lizard, Blue-sided, Sceloporus occidentalis

Lizard, Fire, Crotophytus silus

Lizard, Little, Sceloporus graciosus

p. 240

Rattlesnake, Crotalus lucifer

Toad, Bufo halophilus

Turtle, Clemmys marmorata

INSECTS AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES

Common Fly--several species

Poison Spider, Lathrodectus mactens

Yellowjacket Wasp, Vespa (several species)

Money Clam (thick northern species), Saxidomus giganteus

Money Clam (common species), Saxidomus nuttalli

Abalone, Haliotis (several species)