40 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



various small quadrupeds, frogs, and insects, though the two latter 

 are only a supposition on my part. 



I have very frequently taken both this species and the next in 

 traps at "biscacheros," but never yet drowned out the former, as I 

 have often done the latter; showing that it is only the pursuit of 

 food that takes the " comadreja picaso ' ; there, and that whether 

 that prey is young biscachos, birds (prairie owl and burrowing 

 ground woodpecker), rats and mice, or frogs, it never takes up 

 its abode with the biscachos. 



It is to be regretted that I can only give an approximate date 

 for its breeding-time. The two or three instances I have recorded 

 are about the end of October and beginning of November, but 

 doubtless the season varies more. The usual number of young is 

 about seven or eight, but in one instance I found no less than 

 thirteen. These were smaller than shrew mice, quite bare, the 

 eyes unopened, and they w r ere still attached to the mother — inside 

 the pouch, of course. About the end of November I found another 

 female, with nine young ones, in a hollow tree ; these were the size 

 of large rats, and in appearance, ferocity, &c, just miniature 

 editions of their mother. The nestful could not be resolved into 

 head or tail, and when I poked the female up into wakefulness 

 and defence, all the young ones clung on to her fur with claws 

 and tails, presenting such an aggregate collection of vicious black 

 eyes, sharp teeth, and twining caudal appendages, and fuffing and 

 swearing in proportion to their looks, that I felt I had got into 

 rather bad society. 



The movements of the 1 , "comadreja picaso" are very sluggish; 

 on the ground it moves but slowly, with a long loping run, and 

 can almost be overtaken by a quick walker. Even in trees it does 

 not move fast. 



It sleeps all through the day, and is not easily roused. When 

 discovered in a nest, it will not voluntarily leave it, preferring to 

 remain on the defensive, and fu fling and snapping at the intruder. 

 The way it bites and worries at a stick is a caution. I saw one 

 absolutely break several of its sharp teeth on the blade of a bowie- 

 knife, and yet continue trying. to make an impression on it. 



The odour peculiar to the species is hardly perceptible till the 

 animal is irritated, when it becomes very strong indeed. Though 

 bad enough in all conscience, it is not to be compared to that of 

 the polecat. 



