534 PUTORIUS. 



c. leucoparia (Putorius), Merr., N. Am. Faun., No. n, 1896, p. 29. 

 MICHOACAN BRIDLED WEASEL. 



Type locality. Patzcuaro, State of Michoacan, Mexico. 



Geogr. Distr. State of Michoacan, Mexico; range unknown. 



GenL Char. Larger than P. frenatus, similar in color, black and 

 white markings on head and face more extended. 



Color. Upper parts dark brown; top and sides of head black; 

 broad band of white between eyes and ears, and white spot between 

 eyes; upper lip bordered with whitish; chin and throat buffy yellow; 

 rest of under parts, fore feet, inner sides of hind legs and feet, and 

 terminal half of hind feet buffy ochraceous; tail dark brown; tip black. 



Measurements. Total length, 510; tail vertebrae, 201; hind 

 foot, 53. 



505. affinis (Mustela), Gray, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 4th Ser., xiv, 



1874, p. 375. 

 ALLIED WEASEL. Collaraja in Costa Rica. 



Type locality. Colombia. 



Geogr. Distr. Costa Rica, south into South America. 



Genl. Char. Size large, white streak on side of head in some 

 examples. Frontal region of skull broad, and audital bullae flat. 



Color. Head blackish brown, almost clear black, rest of upper 

 parts and tail very rich dark chestnut brown; tip of tail black; chin 

 and throat yellowish white ; rest of under parts and inner side of fore 

 legs ochraceous orange; in some specimens a white streak in front of 

 ear; in others there is no facial mark. 



Measurements. Total length, 510; tail, 180; hind foot, 52 

 (skin). 



Otters are mainly aquatic in their habits, and their food is fish, 

 which they capture by swimming. In the water the Otter moves 

 with ease, its action even graceful, and it dives instantaneously 

 either to escape danger or to pursue its finny prey. The nest or sleep- 

 ing place of this animal is formed of grass, and is usually placed 

 among the roots of a tree, or in a hole in the bank of a stream, or in 

 the hollow of a tree near water. As a digger the Otter is not famous, 

 and its retreats are usually those formed by nature, or by some bur- 

 rowing animal. Otters are playful creatures, and their chief amuse- 

 ment is sliding. The highest place in the bank, or if in winter the 

 topmost ridge of snow is selected, and lying on its stomach with the 

 front legs laid backward, giving itself a push with the hind feet, it 

 glides head-first down the declivity, and this is repeated many times, 



