150 Mammals of Eastern Asia 
the Himalayas and through Tonkin, Laos, and Yunnan to 
Fukien, where the local race has been named auriventer. The 
length of the head and body of the southern race is 6% to 7 
inches, tail 5% to 6% inches, hind foot 1% to U/2 inches. The 
same set of dimensions in the Altai race is somewhat greater. 
The Tonkin Weasel, M. tonkinensis, related to the last, has 
been found recently among the mountains of northern Tonkin. 
The throat and chest are pure white and there are small white 
marks between the eyes and ears and on the back between the 
shoulders. This form may possibly grade into M. strigidorsum. 
The Striped-backed Weasel, Mustela strigidorsum, is red- 
dish brown with yellowish underparts. A narrow, clearly defined 
white line runs the length of the back. The tail is not tipped with 
black. Length of head and body 11 to 12 inches, tail 4 to 5 
inches. First described from Sikkim, this Weasel has later been 
recorded from the Naga Hills, Arakan, and Laos. 
The Malay or Bare-footed Weasel, Mustela nudipes, is a 
medium-sized species colored pale brown above and beneath, the 
greater part of its head, as well as sometimes its neck and 
throat, and the tip of its tail pale yellowish white. The hair of 
the tail is full like that of a mink. There may be indications of 
a pale dorsal line from the head to the middle of the back. The 
soles of the feet are stated by Brongersma and Junge to be com- 
pletely naked. The measurements probably vary with the sex; 
head and body about 8% inches, tail 6*4 inches. 
SHORT-TAILED WEASELS 
The Least Weasels, Mustela rixosa, have the tail much less 
than three times as long as the hind foot and no black tip to the 
tail. As in the case of the Ermines there is in summer dress a 
sharply distinct line separating the dorsal and ventral colors. 
The fur becomes completely white in winter. This species ex- 
tends from the European Alps, the Caucasus and Scandinavia 
