Wood, in his famous "New England's Prospect," gives some particulars about
game and hunting among the early settlers in 1639:--
"Having related unto you the pleasant situation of the country, the
healthfulness of the climate, the nature of the soil, with his
vegetatives, and other commodities; it will not be amiss to inform you
of such irrational creatures as are daily bred, and continually
nourished in this country, which do much conduce to the well-being of
the inhabitants, affording not only meat for the belly, but cloathing
for the back. The beasts be as followeth:--
"The kingly Lion, and the strong arm'd Bear,
The large limb'd Mooses, with the tripping Deer;
Quill-darting Porcupines, and Raccoons be
Castel'd in the hollow of an aged tree;
The skipping Squirrel, Rabbet, purblind Hare,
Immured in the self same castle are,
Lest red-ey'd Ferret, wily Foxes should
Them undermine, if rampir'd but with mould;
The grim-fac'd Ounce, and rav'nous howling Wolf,
Whose meagre paunch sucks like a swallowing gulf;
Black glistering Otters, and rich coated Bever,
The Civet scented Musquash smelling ever."