THE AGROPELTER

The Agropelter, also known in some regions as the Widow-maker, is a quarrelsome quadruped notorious for its hostility toward loggers and other intruders in its forest home. Although common throughout northern forests from coast to coast, it is rarely encountered outside these regions. Its irritable nature is said to result in part from a diet consisting of Hoot-owls, High-holes, and other “dozy wood.”

Detailed physical descriptions are scarce due to the creature’s elusive habits. However, it is consistently described as having a sturdy, compact body topped by a villainous, ape-like face. Its most remarkable feature is a pair of long, powerful arms. From a concealed perch in the upper hollows of a tree, the Agropelter can break off heavy dead branches and hurl them with deadly precision at unsuspecting woodsmen below.

The Agropelter is an exceptional climber and acrobat, moving swiftly from limb to limb in a manner reminiscent of swinging or leaping monkeys. It prefers nesting in trees with numerous dead branches near frequently traveled trails, hollowing out a roomy nest in the upper bole. Folklore holds that its young are born on February 29 and always in odd numbers.