The muskrat pelts from St. Bernard parish. The skin on the left is the typical shade 

 and color but the skin on the right is of a light fawn or "champagne" color. This color 

 is evidently not an albino as the animals bearing this color of fur do not exhibit the pink 

 eyes of the normal albinistic animals. Quite a number of "champagne" pelts are taken 

 each winter from certain circumscribed territories. 



On the left is a typical prime Plaquemines parish muskrat taken in the middle of 

 winter. Note its long and rich guard hairs and full-furred belly that make it a top. On 

 the right is a summer pelt from the same territory. It is without guard hairs, the fur 

 is scarce and flat. The two pelts illustrate the necessity of taking only prime pelts and 

 in the colder months of the year. 



